Kart king steers towards Europe and F1 dream
KARTING: Reigning CIK Stars of Karting Series champion Chris Hays has received an opportunity of a lifetime with the Energy Corse team, which is endorsed by the Lotus F1 Team as its junior outfit in Europe.
The Gold Coast 18-year-old will soon mix it with the Formula 1-linked team in the upcoming tworound CIK-FIA European KZ2 championships as he chases his dream of becoming one of the stars in the world of motor-sport.
Hays’ opportunity came about following his Pro Gearbox (KZ2) victory in Ipswich ahead of 2011 World Cup champion Joey Hanssen, of the Netherlands.
It will be the second time Hays has raced overseas against the world’s best gearbox kart drivers.
He made his debut with the Italian-based Energy Corse team at the SuperNationals in Las Vegas last November courtesy of a $10,000 scholarship he received from winning the Australian championship in the category.
“It’s a pretty amazing opportunity and I’m certainly going over there with a very open mind and aiming to make the most of it,” apprentice mechanic Hays said.
“It is one thing to go and race over in Europe with a factory team but when that factory team has got a direct link to a Formula 1 junior team, it is just something else.
“The opportunity really came out of nowhere. My budget this year limited me to racing here in Australia so when this came up I’ve grabbed it with both hands and we’re doing everything possible to make it a success.
“You never know where it might lead to.”
