A young karting champion has been chosen to represent Britain on the international stage according to the sport’s governing body.
The Motor Sports Association (MSA) has nominated 2008 MSA British Cadet Kart Champion Roy Johnson, who is aged 14, to represent the United Kingdom in the inaugural CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy later this year.
Robert Reid, the body’s performance director, has confirmed Johnson’s selection after assessing potential candidates in the MSA British Junior Kart Championship and canvassing opinion in the karting community.
Johnson, who hais from Pelsall in the West Midlands, said: “I’m thrilled to have been picked to represent the UK.
“I knew that the MSA was looking for somebody and I thought I had a good chance of being picked, but I was still quite surprised because I didn’t have the best of weekends at Larkhall.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m looking forward to racing for my country in an international competition.”
Reid added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Roy, who I’m sure will fly the flag for the UK with great success.
“He has proved his ability by winning the MSA British Cadet Kart Championship a couple of years ago and he has put in some spirited drives to rise to fourth in the MSA British Junior Kart Championship standings at this stage of the season.”
The Karting Academy Trophy is a new world championship run by the CIK-FIA for 13- to 15-year-old karters. Thirty-four national sporting authorities have been asked to nominate a driver to compete over three events, in support of the new “U18” Karting World Championship.
The events will take place in Germany during July, Spain during August and France during October. The MSA says that, in order to keep costs down and to promote fair racing, competitors will be supplied free of charge with a mandatory package of specified equipment comprising chassis, engine and tyres.
MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said: “One of the objectives of the MSA Academy structure was to make sure that the UK is able to capitalise on exciting opportunities when they arise.
“This new CIK-FIA initiative provides a great chance for one of our promising young karters to experience international competition at the highest level.
“I have every confidence that Roy will acquit himself superbly and we look forward to following his progress through the summer.”