BREAKING NEWS!!

Ronan McKenzie secures KF3 seat under last minute deal with PKP Motorsport & Dino Kart

13 year old kart champion Ronan McKenzie, who was forced to turn down a works assisted KF3 drive in Italy due to lack of funding earlier this year, has secured a last minute deal which will see him on the KF3 grid in the UK in a matter of days.

Dorset-based PKP Motorsport, the factory team of Danish kart manufacturer Dino, has stepped in at the eleventh hour to sign the talented Northamptonshire youngster on a factory-backed deal after McKenzie impressed Team Principals Leon Cole and Sean Girdler with an exceptional KF3 test drive.

Girdler said "To have Ronan McKenzie on board with PKP Motorsport was a big goal for us, and we are delighted that we have managed to secure him as a team driver with this last minute deal." Cole added "We are really excited for the 2012 KF3 campaign and with Ronan joining us we believe we have a strong team."

Despite competing on a limited budget since 2006 with his dad Jason as mechanic on weekends, in the Easykart series McKenzie has had several top twenty finishes in Europe and has three UK titles under his belt, including winning the 2010 Cadet UK Championship and "E" Plate Open Championship aged just eleven.

McKenzie graduated to the Easykart Junior class in 2011, finishing third in the UK Championship, with a debut win and a clutch of podiums. He went on to totally dominate the Junior "E" Plate Open Championship in February this year, winning all races unchallenged from pole, becoming the first driver to win the title in two different classes.

The Dino factory-backed drive from PKP Motorsport - who count LG Ericsson among their sponsors - together with McKenzie's own supporters, motor trade software provider Dragon2000 and blast cleaning firm PIL Gritblast, now brings a full season of KF3 racing within reach for McKenzie this year.

"This is an amazing chance for me and there will be a lot to learn in my rookie year, going from my Dad running me to being part of a factory team," said McKenzie, who is also an Associate Driver of Cranfield University's prestigious Motorsport Programme.

"It will be hard work but I'm ready for the step up to KF3 and I can't wait to get started," he added, "I'm really grateful to PKP and Dino for giving me this fantastic opportunity and very excited about the season ahead."

McKenzie will be competing in the ultra-competitive KF3 125cc class for 13-17 year olds in the MSA British Super One Championship, alongside other selected events in the UK and Europe. He will make his KF3 class debut for PKP Motorsport in the first round of the Super One Championship at PF International this weekend on 21-22 April.