Formula Kart Stars racer Josh White has scooped a subsidised prize drive in the 2013 Ginetta Junior Championship with multiple title-winning team Hillspeed after emerging as the successful candidate from a scholarship shoot-out featuring 12 of the best young competitors from the ranks of FKS.
Run as a joint venture between Hathersage-based Hillspeed, Formula Kart Stars and Ginetta Cars, the assessment put each of the shortlisted racers through their paces at the wheel of a Ginetta G40 Junior car at Anglesey Circuit in North Waleswith 16-year-old White coming out on top.Impressing a judging panel comprising 2010 Ginetta Junior Champion and former FKS Old Boy Tom Ingram, 2011 Ginetta Junior title winner and current Ginetta Ambassador Seb Morris, Ginetta Cars own Mike Simpson and Hillspeed driver coach Matt Shawyer, Ilkley ace White is now busy preparing for his graduation to car racing.We were pleasantly surprised by the incredibly high standard and quality of drivers taking part in the Hillspeed and Formula Kart Stars assessment, said team principal Richard Ollerenshaw, We were only really able to select a winner after lengthy deliberation between the judging panel, there was a lot of promising talent on display and all involved did a terrific job.The judges took into account a wide variety of factorsit wasnt about simply choosing the fastest driver on the day. Previous experience was a consideration, along with how well each of the drivers developed throughout the event and how well they reacted to instruction from the coaches.Ollerenshaw added: Were very much looking forward to working with Josh in 2013, he made some exceptional progress throughout the assessment and displayed a lot of potential. Hes most certainly a deserving winner and Id like to take this chance, on behalf of everyone at Hillspeed, to thank all at Ginetta Cars and, of course, Carolynn Hoy and the team at Formula Kart Stars.White, who has been racing in the Junior Max class of the Formula One Management-backed FKS series this year, has an impressive CV with the highlight being championship victory in Mini Max in 2011. In the same season, he was also third in the ABkC O Plate and fourth in the Kartmasters British Grand Prix. The Yorkshire youngster made his karting debut in 2006 in Cadets.Reflecting on the assessment, FKS Executive Director Carolynn Hoy commented: I am delighted to hear that, once again, our drivers have done us proud by displaying their talent behind the wheel of a Ginetta Junior.
I was sure the competition for top spot was always going to be tight and would like to congratulate all the drivers on their performance. I am confident that Josh will continue to impress Hillspeed in 2013, and wish him and the team the best of luck in their championship campaign.Brands Hatch Indy Circuit will host the opening weekend of the 2013 Ginetta Junior Championship on 30th/31st March.
