Zip Kart launches Bambino Young Guns Team

Martin Hines, the man who discovered Lewis Hamilton and many more top racing drivers through his Zip Kart Young Guns Team, has launched a new initiative to find a future Formula 1 World Champion - the Zip Kart Bambino Young Guns Team.

Martin - three time World, five time European and six time British Kart Champion - has signed his youngest protégés ever, as he begins to guide them to international sporting stardom. Running under the newly created Zip Kart Bambino Young Guns Team in 2010 will be two of Britain's youngest hopefuls, 6-year old Leonardo Panayiotou and 7-year old Albert Carter.

Leonardo and Albert will compete in speed trails in a Zip Bambino Kart, getting expert driving tuition from Zip Kart's resident professional race driver Luke Hines and learning the art of kart control and racing lines as they appear on circuits across the UK.

"Lewis Hamilton was eight years old when I saw him drive a kart for the first time, and I knew then what exceptional natural talent he had," said Martin. "Racing drivers these days are getting younger and youngsters are more mature, and yesterday's eight-year olds are today's six and sevens.

"Leonardo and Albert have the raw talent, passion and support from their parents to reach the very top, and they are very eager to learn. It's important not to put them under any pressure, but to guide their enthusiasm and love of motor racing in the right direction. This is what the Zip Kart Bambino Young Guns Team is all about."

Leonardo PanayiotouAt 6-years old (DOB: 27.08.2003), Leonardo, from Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, is the youngest driver to join the Zip Kart Young Guns Team. He first drove a 50cc kart at the age of three, setting impressive lap times around Rye House Kart Raceway (a stone's throw from the Zip Kart headquarters in Hoddesdon) and developed such a passion for motor racing that he insisted on sleeping in his racing overalls and watching TV with his crash helmet on! Supported by his father Jason, an IT company director, and coached by Luke Hines, Leonardo is looking forward to learning from the same Zip Kart organisation that developed the likes of David Coulthard, Anthony Davidson, Jason Plato and Gary Paffett.

"I will be spending as much time as possible testing, practicing and learning until I'm eight and ready to race in championships," says Leonardo. "School is very important too, so I must do well so I can become a racing driver. My kart has become part of my body, from the first time I sat in the seat I knew what I wanted to when I am older! A warm 'thank you' to all at Zip Kart for their help and support and also a big 'thank you' to my sponsors in helping me in my passion."

Albert CarterAlbert has just turned 7-years old (DOB: 02.04.2003) and is the son of four time FIA European Top Fuel Champion Andy Carter. Albert, from Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire, was just six weeks old when he attended his first motorsport event at Santa Pod Raceway. He started quad bike riding when he was two and was bought his first Zip Bambino Kart at 3-years old. In August 2007 he started attending Rye House Kids Club in England, learning basic skills with track time on Saturday and Sunday mornings. When his family went to America the following year, Albert made his karting competition debut in December 2008 at the Daytona International Speedway. In January 2010, Albert won four out of four races at the Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton, Florida, beating the local champions by coming from the back of the grid to win each race.

"I will continue to practice in my Zip Cadet and do at least six Bambino events during 2010 and I want to get Gold awards at these," says Albert. "In the long future I would like to be a good racing driver and a good pilot. I would like to say 'thanks' to Martin Hines, Ollie Walker, Gary Walker, all my sponsors and everyone who is helping."

For more information, please contact
Paul Evans on tel: +44 (0)77 10 74 31 67 / e-mail: paul.evans@goodevansco.com

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