Joseph Burton-Harris Confirms Euro MAX Deal
Tweet| 17 January 2013 |
press release
Birel Kartsport Australia driver Joseph Burton-Harris has confirmed he will be competing in the entire Euro Max Series throughout 2013 in an RK Kart.
The 15 year-old will join the Kalman Motorsport team for his campaign with the full support of RK Karts’ parent company, Birel Motorsport.
Having been one of the front-runners on the Australian Rotax scene for a couple of years now, Burton-Harris sees this opportunity as the next step in his flourishing career.
“For the past couple of years we’ve been focused on working towards the goal of gaining an opportunity in Europe and I’m delighted to be able to get this opportunity in 2013,” said Burton-Harris.
“Since joining the Birel Kartsport Australia team in October last year, my career has stepped up another level with the opportunities that have opened up. I’m thankful to Steve Macken and his team for their help in putting this deal together.
“Along with the Euro Series, I will still be competing here in Australia as much as possible and also looking to compete in a couple of events in America.”
Birel Kartsport Australia boss Steve Macken believes that the confirmation that Burton-Harris will be competing on the European stage on a regular basis is a sign of how high the standard of racing in Australia is.
“We’ve always thought that we had some good drivers here in Australia but it’s not until they take on the Europeans on their home soil that we find out how good they really are,” said Macken.
“I believe Joseph is one of the best young drivers that’s going around at the moment, not just here in Australia but in the world as a whole. His performance at the Rotax Grand Finals in Portugal last year was an impressive one and one that secured this opportunity for him.
“Through our links with the Birel factory in Italy we are hoping to open more doors for young Australians to chase their dreams throughout Europe. Hopefully Joseph is the first of a number of drivers who we will see competing throughout Europe over the coming years.”
In further news for the Birel Kartsport Australia team, it has been confirmed that James Macken will be heading over to Italy early next month. Macken was invited by Birel President Ronni Sala to be a part of the Birel ‘family’ where he will be a part of the Factory team’s test program and assist in various areas for the team.
The Birel Kartsport Australia team will make its first appearance for 2013 at the Rotax Pro Tour event in Melbourne on January 26/27.
PR from JBH:
Birel Motorsport has signed Joseph Burton-Harris to lead their European Junior Rotax program in 2013. Ronni Sala (Birel Motorsport CEO) met JBH while at the Rotax World Finals in Portugal 2012. The deal was forged from a number of factors. Ronni witnessed Burton-Harris' great drive in the Pre-Final in Portugal from 32nd to 12th adding to his great qualifying performance in Wackersdorf Germany (Euromax 2012 Rd2) and some smooth driving from the back in Salbris France (Euromax 2012 Rd4) when a technical infringement put him to the back of all heats. A glowing reference from Birel and RK Kart Australia CEO Steve Macken sealed it.
"I believe Joseph is one of the best young drivers that's going around at the moment, not just here in Australia but in the world as a whole. His performance at the Rotax Grand Finals in Portugal last year was an impressive one and one that secured the opportunity for him" commented Steve Macken "Through our links with the Birel factory in Italy we are hoping to open more doors for young Australians to chase their dreams throughout Europe. Hopefully Joseph is the first of a number of drivers who we will see competing throughout Europe over the coming years"
Burton-Harris is very eager to start his European campaign..."It is great to see that all the years of hard work and practice both on and off the track have paid off. Joining a European factory team has been my goal for the last 2 years and to join Birel Motorsports Italy racing the RK chassis is a dream come true. Their history in karting is legend."
Umberto Sala (original creator and founder of the recently branded Birel Motorsports) has often been referred to as a legend in karting not only in his home country of Italy but worldwide. Birel was born from the improvements he made to the first kart ever made in the USA in 1956. This new kart dominated karting in Europe in the 1960's-80's with infamous Birel drivers such as Oscar Sala (Umberto's son); Ricardo Patrese; Mike Wilson; Alessandro Zanardi and Gianluca Beggio. The modern Birel story includes 6 Formula C World Championships from 1990 to 2000 and the branding of the name Birel now managed by Ronni Sala (son of Oscar). (40 years of Kart Technology and History (2003) R Perone)
The European Junior Rotax program will be delivered by Kalman Motorsport on behalf of the Birel Factory. Kalman Motorsport had great success in the Euromax series in 2012 with Senior classes. Peter Kalman is excited to have Joseph Burton-Harris leading the Junior team in 2013 and ready to build on Kalman and Birel's achievements of 2012.
Burton-Harris will commence his European progam on March 27th 2013 at Genk, Belgium for Round 1 of the Euromax Rotax Challenge.
Personal Message:
Joseph Burton-Harris would like to thank the following key people who have contributed to this achievement, not only for JBH but karting in Australia as a whole:
- Steve Macken - CEO Birel Kart Australia and RK Kart Australia
- Ben George and Chris Schofield - R360
- Ian Burton
- Troy Hunt - Top Gun Racing
- Troy Farley - TF Engines
- Ian Black; Donald Stevens and William Yarwood - IKD Australia and Exprit Karts
- Ian Baker - Parramatta Kart Warehouse
- Tim Craig - Kart One Racing
- Stones Kart Sport
- Lee Hanachek - Media and 2012-13 CIK co-ordinator
- Peter Galvin - 2011 CIK co-ordinator
- North Shore Kart club and Newcastle Kart Club - for their current and ongoing support
- Southern Go-Kart Club and Ian Williams Tuning- Adelaide South Australia - for helping JBH start this great sport
- AKA Australia and NSW State Offices
- All volunteers and officials who put in their time to make the sport possible
...and many many more people and families who have supported Joseph throughout his karting career
