CONTROLLED-COST SINGLE-SEATER SERIES TO BE LAUNCHED FOR JUNIOR DRIVERS

News from InterSteps Championship

A new, controlled cost, single-seater series for junior racing drivers is to be officially launched at Rockingham Speedway this week.

The wraps will come off the InterSteps Championship at a driver initiation and media day at the Northamptonshire circuit on Wednesday (March 9, 2011).

The one-make national series - conceived to provide up-and-coming drivers with an affordable route from karts to cars - will run as part of the 2011 British Automobile Racing Club's 'Dunlop Package'.

It is open to drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 and will comprise 20 races, the first of which gets underway at Silverstone on March 26.

Competitors will drive identical 140mph BMW-powered Mygale FB02 cars in the education-friendly championship which will feature dedicated test and race weekend classes for the drivers as well as one-to-one coaching sessions.

Modules will cover topics such as car dynamics and physics, safety, sportsmanship, technical and sporting regulations, race craft, fitness, and nutrition.

The Educated Racing package will be provided by British motorsport's governing body, the Motor Sports Association, as part of its Racing Steps Foundation-funded young driver support programme. Sessions will involve top motorsports specialists as well as front-running drivers from senior single-seater formulae.

Championship organisers are placing equal emphasis on drivers' general education too with a test and race calendar that is tailored to dovetail with school timetables and examination schedules.

The cost of competing in the series, which will visit some of Britain's best circuits, has been kept to the minimum with prices for a full season's racing starting at £80,000.

"Motor racing for drivers with the dedication to get to the top can be an incredibly expensive business," said InterSteps originator and co-ordinator Martin Phaff.

"With this in mind the primary aim of this championship is to provide an affordable bridge from karts to cars which recognises the importance of education both on and off the track.

"The elite nature of motorsport dictates that very few drivers will make it to the top where they can earn a living from it. So it's vital that their racing skills are not acquired at the expense of their school and college education."

Current and prospective entrants include: James Nutbrown, 18, from Southampton, Hants; Ash Robinson, 16, Stafford, Staffs; Jake Dennis, 15, Nuneaton, War; Alex Walker, 16, Oldham, Lancs; Anton Spires, 18, Buckingham, Bucks; Jack Barlow, 15, Pett, nr Hastings, E Sussex; Josh Webster, Mickfield, nr Stowmarket, Suffolk; Axcil Jefferies, Slough, Berks; Sarah Moore, 17, Tockwith, nr Harrogate, Yorks; James Birch, 18, Croydon, Surrey; James Peace, 17, Oxford; Max Cornelius, 17, Frome, Somerset. Ed Jones, 16, Dubai; Masood Mohammed, 17, Dubai; Patrick Szerbinski, 17, Koszalin, Poland.

Championship originator Martin Phaff is based in Sheffield.