Aston aims to become Formula Kart Star
Date: 14-04-2009Cumbrian starlet Nathan Aston (11) is set to race in the UK’s most prestigious karting championship.
The youngster, who attends Appleby Grammar School, claimed second place in the Cumbria Kart Club championships in 2008 - and is now looking to take on the cream on Britain’s karting talent at national level, in 2009.
He will compete in the Formula Kart Stars series which has just been launched by Formula 1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone; who aims to launch the next British racing hopeful into the spotlight, with the plan to hold align the series more closely to Formula 1. Karting has produced top motorsport talent in the past such as DTM racer Paul Di Resta, McLaren test driver Gary Paffett and reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. Now a global superstar, Hamilton is Patron of the Formula Kart Stars series and continues to try and help those who wish to follow in his footsteps.
Nathan Aston is one young driver aspiring to do so, and has displayed the kind of form that marks him out as a potential star of the future. Having only taken up karting last year he was first novice home in his first four race meetings, racked up nine podium finishes from 13 race meetings and also won his class in the Lakeland Challenge.
In 2009 Nathan will race in the Formula Kart Stars championship as part of a two kart AstSigns team run by Tooley Motor Sport, using a cadet Tony Kart with a Comber engine, and partnered by Matthew Graham. The duo will also benefit from specialised sports science support throughout the year to boost their chances of success.
The series’ calendar will cover five events in the UK and one in Genk, Belgium. The flag drops on the first round of action at Kimbolton on April 10-12. With a visit to Cumbrian circuit Rowrah penciled in for June 26-28, Nathan Aston will look to use home advantage to make a big impression against his rivals. But he is fully aware of the challenge ahead and with over 70 competitors registered for the series his aim is to get experience and clinch some top-20 finishes; this would be a fantastic result for his rookie season at national level.
Nathan Aston said:
“I’m really excited about this season. I had a really good time last year and seemed to improve quickly and I’m hoping that what I learnt last year, and the speed, will continue when I step up to this important series. Learning a lot of new tracks will be a big challenge but great fun too and there will be a lot of other good drivers so the competition will be tough. I really want to be a racing driver so if I can do well in the Formula Kart Series I hope that will help me in my career.”
