Fujitsu General (Aust.) Pty Limited today announced the 12 Fujitsu ‘Cool’ Drivers forming this year’s youth development initiative for Karting and Formula Ford.
Following a successful inaugural year in 2011 that saw Fujitsu endorsed drivers achieving great on-track success, this year’s squad includes a handful of drivers entering their second year of association, while seven new youngsters have been welcomed into the program. Fujitsu ‘Cool’ kid Cameron Waters scored the Australian Formula Ford Championship in 2011, earning a test with Garry Rogers Motorsport as a result, and this year the same prize is up for grabs for the Formula Ford drivers, while the most successful karter will be rewarded with a national Formula Ford test.
Unlike last year where the karting representatives included one driver from each state of Australia – this year, over 400 applications were received from right across the country for the seven available karting spots. In addition, two state level Formula Ford places were also up for grabs, together with three national level Formula Ford endorsements.
The Fujitsu ‘Cool’ Driver Program is a youth development initiative designed to foster and develop young motor racing talent and supports the company’s current two-car sponsorship of Garry Rogers Motorsport, while 18-year old Scott McLaughlin also forms part of the youth succession planning program as a Fujitsu sponsored driver contesting the Dunlop Series for V8 Supercars. McLaughlin is entering his fifth year with Fujitsu’s support, having been the first recipient of the company’s youth focused development when he was just 14.
Fujitsu General National Marketing Manager, Milton Kaloudis, is excited about the year ahead for the Fujitsu ‘Cool’ drivers and looking for a repeat of the form shown in 2011.
“We had a great first year in 2011 with Cam Waters winning the national Formula Ford crown and Nick Foster claiming third, while some of our karters were absolute standouts, specifically Joey Mawson, Damon Strongman and Todd Hazelwood – in fact, the entire group were fantastic and did us proud … both on and off track.
“This year we have continued our association with some of the youngsters we started out with last year, while at the same time we’ve expanded into state level Formula Ford to fill an important void in the motor racing staircase. It’s also really exciting to have a 10-year-old joining the program and we’re confident of big things from this year’s Fujitsu ‘Cool’ drivers.”
The 2012 Fujitsu ‘Cool’ Driver Program endorsees are:
KARTING
Cooper Murray – 10 (Victoria)
Nick Rowe – 13 (Western Australia)
Damon Strongman – 13 (Victoria)
Liam McLellan – 14 (Victoria)
Pierce Lehane – 16 (New South Wales)
Joey Mawson – 16 (New South Wales)
Renee Gracie – 17 (Queensland)
FORMULA FORD – State
Todd Hazelwood – 16 (South Australia)
Macauley Jones – 17 (New South Wales)
FORMULA FORD – National
Jack Le Brocq – 19 (Victoria)
Garry Jacobson – 19 (Victoria)
Shae Davies – 21 (Queensland)
