Maltese youngster obtains race licence, singled out for praise

Jacob Borg, 13, has successfully completed an intensive course in kart racing at the SRS Racing Kart School in Cambridge, UK. Former British champion Stuart Ziemelis and SRS instructor Rob Barnett provided guidance for Borg, whose participation in the course was sponsored by Kinnie.

By virtue of his completion of the course, Borg also obtained his racing kart licence from the Motor Sports Association that allows him to race in any UK circuit.

Borg trained on a 100cc junior TKM kart, one of the most popular and competitive ranges of kart in the UK. He accomplished a total of 400 laps on four different circuits. His determination and knowledge of kart driving has left a remarkable impression with his instructors.

"Jacob is an outstanding driver and showed great determination. He was racing against some of the best drivers in the UK," Ziemelis commented.

"I have rarely worked with a driver of Jacob's age who has shown such a level of understanding about weight transfer and chassis dynamics," said Barnett, the SRS Racing instructor.

"It is this knowledge and ability, which, combined with Jacob's determination to be quick, have led him to record lap times comparable to regular championship drivers at the circuits he raced in."

At Whilton Mill Kart Club, Borg participated as a novice at the club championship race meeting together with 28 regular drivers and nine novices. He achieved the four heats and made it straight to the final race where he obtained an excellent placing, beating not only the novices but also many of the regular drivers.

At the end of the race meeting, Steve Chapman, clerk of the course and race official, commended Borg for his ability in mastering kart driving and presented him with a Cup for the best novice of the day at Whilton Mill.

Borg also visited other popular race circuits in Oxfordshire, Hertforshire, and Lincolnshire. He gained experience on a wide range of tracks and obtained an insight of the British kart racing.

F1 driving ambitions

"I am overwhelmed with the training I received at SRS Racing and have enjoyed every single minute. I received a lot of advice and encouragement from my instructors especially from chief mechanic at SRS, Don Newman," Borg commented

"Thanks to my sponsors, especially Kinnie, I feel more determined to pursue my ambition to be the first Maltese F1 driver," said Borg after returning from his course in the UK. Kart racing has led many top Formula One drivers to professional levels.

Kinnie brand executive, Joanne Scerri Valentino said: "Kinnie lends support to sports and to the many benefits of sport participation. We are proud of Jacob's achievement. His dedication is definitely as focused as his driving."

Borg started kart racing at the age of 10 and his ambition is to reach the professional standard and become Malta's first driver of a Formula One car. He is the champion of the Badger Junior Championship and the Schweppes Challenge Competition.

The following year he also succeeded in winning the Championship in a competition with older and more experienced drivers. Borg is the Kinnie brand spokesman for kart racing activities both in Malta and abroad for the current two-year period.