Multiple single-seater titlist Jayde Kruger makes career switch to take on European racing challengeJayde set to test Mygale chassis soon ahead of Oulton Park race date
Reigning Formula Volkswagen South Africa Champion Jayde Kruger is to join the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain. The 25-year-old will make his debut at Oulton Park next month and will campaign a Jamun Racing-run EcoBoost Mygale for the remainder of the season.
Kruger comes to the UK with 10 seasons of single-seater experience in his native South Africa; he has won the Formula Volkswagen title three times as well as two Formula Ford championships. This is a chance that came up which I couldnt let pass, said Jayde, who is backed by South African chemicals conglomerate Investchem. I have kind of reached my peak in South Africa. What do you do, race the same thing again and again, year after year - and have a lot of fun - or do you try to accomplish something else? Im looking forward to it; Ill give it my best shot and see where we go.
Kruger will be getting his first taste of EcoBoost power soon. That will be interesting: I know what I am capable of, but I am not yet sure what will happen because I dont know the car. I have never driven a turbo before and from what the team tells me throttle application is quite crucial. Testing will be important.
He is looking at it as a possible two-year campaign: Initially this is a deal for this season with an option for next. This year I have a lot of circuit learning to do, and we will see what happens.
Jayde, whose only prior experience of European racing came at the Formula Ford Festivals of 2005 and 2010, will race the ex-Ryan Cullen 2012 Mygale which Scott Malvern drove in the opening rounds of this years championship at Brands Hatch. He joins Argentinian duo Juan Rosso and Nico Maranzana on the multi-national squad.
Oulton Park plays host to rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain over the weekend of 8/9 June. All nine rounds of the championship held so far have been won by Dan Cammish at the wheel of a JTR-prepared Mygale.
Jayde Kruger - career in brief2003-2006 South African Formula Ford Zetec; championship runner-up 05 & 062007 Champion, South African Formula Ford Zetec2009 Champion, Formula Volkswagen South Africa2010 Champion, South African Formula Ford Duratec2011 & 12 Champion, Formula Volkswagen South Africa
