Kinsman KartSports First "Official" Elite Academy Competitor

KartSport has been very fortunate to secure a spot in Motorsport New Zealand's 2011 world leading Elite Academy.

Daniel Kinsman was the successful applicant chosen by the MSNZ Trustees for this arduous program that is not just a week at Otago University but a year long mentoring and management program.  Many karters have completed this course before but this is the first time MSNZ has opened a space officially for a KartSport member which is a great opportunity for the sport

It will be great to see how Daniel goes as he takes on the responsibility to show just how good KartSport is in breeding outstanding "Allround" sportsman!

All the best Daniel keep us posted on progress and Karters don't be afraid to show your support and ask questions here

Press Release:

KartSport New Zealand is hailing a MotorSport New Zealand initiative which - for the first time - will see one of the country's most talented young karters - Auckland's Daniel Kinsman - join eight of his motorsport contemporaries at this year's MotorSport Elite Academy in Dunedin in early July.

The week-long Elite Academy programme - set up in 2004 with funding from the MotorSport Scholarship Trust - is run by the New Zealand Academy of Sport South and the Physical Education School at Otago University.
KartSport New Zealand has an Academy programme of its own but President Lance Hickey says that the MotorSport New Zealand one is complementary.

"We already run our own KartSport Academy Stage One and Two driver training, with some off-track content, so - if you like - the Elite Academy is Stage Three."

The organisation could hardly have wished for a better qualified applicant for the inaugural intake either.

A third-generation karter from Howick in Auckland, 17-year-old apprentice electrician Daniel Kinsman, is the reigning New Zealand and North Island Yamaha Light class champion and a former New Zealand and North Island Junior Yamaha champion.

He also currently leads the points standings in the Rotax Max Light class in the 2011 Right Karts Kartstars New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge series, and is a former winner of the series' Formula Junior class and New Zealand representative at the Grand Final in Egypt in 2009.

According to MotorSport New Zealand President Shayne Harris the decision to include a karter in the Elite Academy intake for the first time was made in recognition of 'the important role that KartSport plays in introducing youngsters to the thrills and skills of motorsport (so) it felt appropriate that we should be encouraging its top youngsters to apply for the Academy and we hope that one competitor this year may lead to others in the future.'

KartSport New Zealand President Lance Hickey concludes; "This is a great opportunity for the two codes to work closely together. Most of today's successful young race drivers have a KartSport background and no doubt there will continue to be competitors moving across from karts to cars, but there are also many KartSport competitors who will look to pursue their careers both nationally and internationally in karts. The Elite Academy will benefit them all."