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The Kartmasters event is a prestigious annual knockout competition – previously won by F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton among others. A panel of judges attended back in August this year. Six karters who showed talent were picked and invited to a shootout at Ginetta’s headquarters in Leeds.
The six had to be eligible to race in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2009 and may or may not have won in their class. It may be that someone had a mechanical failure in their final, or became innocently involved in an on-track incident.
After some deliberation, the six contenders were shortlisted to:
Louise Richardson
Callum Bowyer
Danny Harwood
Billy Albone
Sam Snell
plus Bill Cowley
Unfortunately Bill Cowley declined the invitation to the shootout so the remaining five headed to Ginetta to be put through their paces on track, in the media and finally – a fitness challenge.
Each finalist had two fifteen minute sessions on Ginetta’s test track at Elvington Airfield. Assisted by instructors Charlie Kemp, Stewart Linn and Michael Simpson (who himself won the KF2 class at Kartmasters), the juniors had only had limited or no experience with a clutch and gearbox.
The three instructors were also evaluating progression, control, listening and understanding in the car.
After lunch and tour of Ginetta’s facility, each gave a presentation with the basis ‘My Motorsport Career: Past, Present and Future’. A media judging panel which included Nigel Edwards from TVKC, Mike Hayden from Karting Magazine and Dan McCalla from Motorsport News then posed questions.
A points-based system regarding content and the way they presented themselves would go towards determining the overall winner.
Finally, Richard Chessman – fitness instructor to many well-known names in motorsport – put the group through their paces in Ginetta’s on-site gym.
At the day’s conclusion, all those involved came together to decide the winner.
“It was a very close call to make in the end” explains co-ordinator Stewart Linn. “Everybody did so well – some better than others in different areas, but there could only be one winner and we had to look at the overall picture.”
In the end, Louise Richardson came out on top. The announcement was made last weekend at the TVKC end of season dinner – Mike Simpson having the honour of revealing the winner.
“I was absolutely speechless when they read my name out” admitted Louise. “At the end of the day, I didn’t think I’d won so it was a complete surprise but I’m so happy. It hasn’t really sunk in yet!
“My friends are also really pleased for me – they can’t wait to watch me racing! Thank you so much to everybody and Ginetta for giving me this opportunity.”
“Louise was good all-round” added Linn. “Admittedly the fitness was her weakest area, but she scored strongly in the other areas. Her driving style was smooth, she listened to advice and took it on board and her self-promotion in the Media evaluations were concise and confident.”
Commiserations to those runners-up.
Louise’s car will be unveiled at the Ginetta awards dinner on January 9th. She will be racing in a Teenage Cancer Trust liveried Ginetta Junior car with prominent positions for further sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Call Carrie Hardy on 08452 10 50 50 for details.
The six had to be eligible to race in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2009 and may or may not have won in their class. It may be that someone had a mechanical failure in their final, or became innocently involved in an on-track incident.
After some deliberation, the six contenders were shortlisted to:
Louise Richardson
Callum Bowyer
Danny Harwood
Billy Albone
Sam Snell
plus Bill Cowley
Unfortunately Bill Cowley declined the invitation to the shootout so the remaining five headed to Ginetta to be put through their paces on track, in the media and finally – a fitness challenge.
Each finalist had two fifteen minute sessions on Ginetta’s test track at Elvington Airfield. Assisted by instructors Charlie Kemp, Stewart Linn and Michael Simpson (who himself won the KF2 class at Kartmasters), the juniors had only had limited or no experience with a clutch and gearbox.
The three instructors were also evaluating progression, control, listening and understanding in the car.
After lunch and tour of Ginetta’s facility, each gave a presentation with the basis ‘My Motorsport Career: Past, Present and Future’. A media judging panel which included Nigel Edwards from TVKC, Mike Hayden from Karting Magazine and Dan McCalla from Motorsport News then posed questions.
A points-based system regarding content and the way they presented themselves would go towards determining the overall winner.
Finally, Richard Chessman – fitness instructor to many well-known names in motorsport – put the group through their paces in Ginetta’s on-site gym.
At the day’s conclusion, all those involved came together to decide the winner.
“It was a very close call to make in the end” explains co-ordinator Stewart Linn. “Everybody did so well – some better than others in different areas, but there could only be one winner and we had to look at the overall picture.”
In the end, Louise Richardson came out on top. The announcement was made last weekend at the TVKC end of season dinner – Mike Simpson having the honour of revealing the winner.
“I was absolutely speechless when they read my name out” admitted Louise. “At the end of the day, I didn’t think I’d won so it was a complete surprise but I’m so happy. It hasn’t really sunk in yet!
“My friends are also really pleased for me – they can’t wait to watch me racing! Thank you so much to everybody and Ginetta for giving me this opportunity.”
“Louise was good all-round” added Linn. “Admittedly the fitness was her weakest area, but she scored strongly in the other areas. Her driving style was smooth, she listened to advice and took it on board and her self-promotion in the Media evaluations were concise and confident.”
Commiserations to those runners-up.
Louise’s car will be unveiled at the Ginetta awards dinner on January 9th. She will be racing in a Teenage Cancer Trust liveried Ginetta Junior car with prominent positions for further sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Call Carrie Hardy on 08452 10 50 50 for details.