Scots karter heads for world series 19 | 05 | 2014
SCOTTISH KARTING ACE, 14-year-old Ross Martin from Gartocharn in Dumbartonshire, has been selected by the national motorsport governing body to represent Great Britain in a prestigious three-race World Championship this summer.
And the youngster has received backing from fellow Scot, world endurance champ, three-times Le Mans 24-Hours winner and multiple karting champion, Audi ambassador Allan McNish.
Martin (pictured in action), who has been karting for just four years, has been recognised by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) after a string of success.
The young Scot will join fellow top British krater, Oliver York from Surrey, as the MSA’s representatives in the three-round 2014 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy.
Each year, the CIK-FIA invites nominations from national governing bodies for drivers to contest the Academy Trophy, a world championship for 13- to 15- year-olds, staged over three events.
“I’m honoured and proud to have been nominated by the MSA and I really appreciate being given this opportunity," Martin beamed today.
"With my family’s support, we’ve worked very hard over the last four years competing against, and sometimes finishing ahead of, drivers with bigger budgets, so to be recognised for this is very satisfying.”
Martin will race at Genk, Belgium (June 15); Wackersdorf, Germany (July 13) and Sarno, Italy (October 12).
The world karting body also provides identical equipment to all competitors to ensure a level playing field for all drivers.
Martin began karting when aged just 10, and last year the Balfron High School pupil finished fourth overall in the MSA British Junior Kart Championship.
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He previously enjoyed success in the cadet class, finishing sixth overall and top independent runner in the 2012 MSA British Cadet Kart Championship.
In addition to the three World CIK Academy Trophy races Martin, who has already scored over 25 wins from approximately 120 races, competes for Wisbech-based Forza Racing in the European CIK Junior Championships.
“I stepped up from the Cadet class to Junior World karting last year and had some good results including two top-three podiums," the 2010 West of Scotland Kart Club and Cumbria Kart Club champion, continued:
"I feel confident I can do the same in Europe and prove to the MSA they have made the right choice.”
McNish meanwhile — who began his ultra-successful career in karting winning six Scottish championship titles (1982-86), three RAC British titles (1983-86) and finishing third in the 1985 World Championship — has already identified Martin as one of Scotland's brightest young motorsport talents.
“It’s very good news that Ross’s natural talent has been recognised," the 43-year-old from Dumfries, who is also president of the Scottish Motor Racing Club, said.
"His natural talents should shine through in the three-race competition with all of the karts being the same.
“Getting an opportunity, especially on the international scene, is very difficult but knowing Ross he’ll grab it with both hands and as a fellow Scot, I’m looking forward to monitoring his career in karting and watching him progress up the motor racing ladder and continue the winning trend of Scottish drivers at the very top level.”
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Jim McGill