LEHANE IS AIMING TO BE ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Pierce Lehane on his way to victory in the CIK Stars of Karting Series earlier this year. Pic: photowagon.com.au

Castle Hill’s (Sydney, NSW) Pierce Lehane is just like any other teenager, he has dreams and ambitions of getting a job doing something he loves.

His dream job is a racing car driver, and this month he will make another step towards turning his dream into a reality.

Over the past few years Lehane has developed into one of Australia’s brightest karting talents and courtesy of his superb year in 2010 he’ll be representing Australia in two events later this month.

His first event (November 19-21) will be the World Rotax Challenge Grand Final in Italy where Lehane and two other Aussie youngsters (James Macken and Jonathan Venter) will line up alongside representatives from 29 other countries in the Junior Max category. All competitors at this event will be competing in identical equipment to provide an even playing field.

Lehane made his overseas debut at the World Rotax Challenge Grand Final in Egypt last year where he running seventh before a mechanical failure halted his charge – this year he is aiming for the top step of the podium.

“This is the second year in a row that I’ve qualified for the World Rotax Challenge final and I can’t wait to get over there to take on the world’s best,” said Lehane.

“I learnt a lot last year in Egypt and despite being relatively inexperienced compared to some of my rivals I was still running inside the top ten. My aim this year is to go over there to try and win, I think I’ve got a realistic chance of doing it too.”

Also qualified to compete at the event are Queenslanders Troy Bretherton, Kyle Ensbey and West Aussie Steven Scoble in the Senior Max category, along with Damian Ward, Jason Pringle and Travis Millar in the DD2 category and Tony Prendergast in the DD2 Master category.

The following weekend Lehane will contest the WSK Nations Cup at the famous La Conca venue courtesy of his victory in the four-round CIK Stars of Karting Series earlier this year.

Lehane, who’s name now sits alongside the likes of Ryan Briscoe, Tim Slade, Michael Caruso and Andrew Thompson as junior champions in the CIK Stars of Karting Series, is understandably excited about his overseas sojourn next month.

“Over the past 12 to 18 months I’ve really developed as a driver and I’m going over the WSK event with my eyes wide open to take in as much as I can,” said Lehane.

“The CIK Stars of Karting Series has been great this year and courtesy of my victory I’m now lucky enough to be able to going over to race with the factory CRG team at the event – it’s a very exciting opportunity.

“I’m realistic about my goals in the Nations Cup, that weekend will be more about learning from the factory team while gaining the experience which will hopefully assist me in my campaign in the CIK Stars of Karting Series next year.”

Lehane and his supportive family, Dad Peter, Mum Heather and younger sister Charlotte, will jet out of Australia on November 12 in preparation for the biggest two weeks of his karting career.