International Competition Racing Academy expands to the U.S.

Formula Gulf Academy to be based at VIRginia International Raceway this summer

Formula Gulf Academy (www.formulagulf.academy) an advanced race driver development program that has enabled graduates to move successfully into FIA F4, Formula Renault, Porsche Supercup, EuroFormula Open (F3), LMP2, Indy Lights and IndyCar will accept just 10 qualified drivers for its exclusive test and race program at the Virginia International Raceway this summer.

British run motorsport business, GulfSport Racing has specialised in developing racing drivers in single seaters and sport prototypes since 2004. Formula Gulf Academy, now in its seventh season has had drivers attend from 23 countries. It has operated at the Yas Marina F1 Circuit, the Dubai Autodrome, Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and at various British circuits.

GulfSport’s Martin Hope, an experienced racer and driver performance engineer said “We are unlike most commercial schools. We restrict the group to 5 drivers to optimise time spent with our race coach reviewing data after every session to improve their technique and lap times. They get to drive modern slicks and wings cars on Formula 4 spec tyres to experience similar on-track performance to FIA Formula 4 cars. All drivers will have some race experience, so based on that, we focus on building high skill levels in the area of aero braking, gear changing, tyre management etc, as we believe it’s important they understand the dynamics of a race car on track and how that impacts how to drive it effectively and quickly”.

GulfSport Racing’s partner, Atlanta based Motorsports Worldwide Management Group (MWMG) will manage the applicant evaluation process. Said COO Jeffrey Lail, “The Academy programs are designed for two levels of young drivers; those kart racers about to make the transition to single seaters, and existing junior racers who wish to make a significant leap in their on-track performance. Successful applicants will attend a number on and off-track sessions over the June to August period including data coaching, mental and physical performance analysis, media training, nutrition and simulator training. We have not seen an academy like this in the States for a long time, if ever at all. At just 20% of the typical budget for a season in F4, its a great investment for the lucky few that are selected to take part in the academy.”

For the Application Form click HERE or contact Jeff at jeff@motorsportsworldwide.com. For more information about the program contact Barry Hope at barry.hope@gulf-sport.com

Kane Shepherd dominates at Yas Marina F1 Circuit

Held at the billion dollar facility built on Yas Island specifically to host Abu Dhabi’s Formula One World Championship Grand Prix events, Rounds 3 & 4 were dominated by one of Thailand’s most promising young racing drivers, Kane Shepherd.

Kane, who is also contesting the SEA F4 championship was back in the UAE to gain valuable coaching from Formula Gulf Academy’s senior driver coach Andy Pardoe ahead of his final F4 event next weekend. 

Said Kane "Good race weekend for me in Abu Dhabi, with pole position and wins in both races. Car running well in cool air and felt good to drive. Races were quite straightforward, although lost a very large lead when the safety car was called out in race 2, but managed to pull out a bit again for the last two laps to win. Thanks to the Gulfsport team for the car preparation, and looking forward to the next race in Dubai, only a week away”.

The intense level of training and mentoring that goes on at these events was clear when looking at the lap times of India’s Nabil Zakir Hussain who improved steadily over two days to come away with 3rd and 2nd place trophies.

Bahrain sent two of its best young drivers to the academy, the very experienced kart racing brothers Talal and Abdallah Beshara. The older brother Abdullah taking a brilliant second place in his first car race for a year, with 16 year old Talal bagging a 3rd place trophy in the second race.

Poland’s Filip Kaminiarz, perhaps the least experienced driver on the grid showed significant improvement over the weekend  qualifying 3rd fastest, finishing 4th in race 1 but unfortunately suffering a DNF in race two.

Said GulfSport’s Martin Hope,  "We were very impressed by all of these young drivers this weekend. They showed great spirit and commitment and clearly learnt a lot. Kane was supreme, hardly breaking into a sweat. We were particularly pleased to see Nabil making such good progress”. 

Rounds 5 & 6 will take place on 26th and 27th January.

UK’s James Scott-Murphy does the double in Dubai!

UAE based international racing school, Formula Gulf Academy incorporates an 8 x round ATCUAE sanctioned single seater championship on a variety of  circuit configurations at the Yas Marina and Dubai Autodrome circuits. Last weekend saw academy students training, qualifying and racing in Rounds 1 & 2 on the technically demanding 3.5kms National Circuit with its blind double apex corners and elevation changes.

It was a double win for the UK’s Formula Ford specialist 18 year old James Scott Murphy ( jamesscottmurphy.com ) sponsored by Thames Hydroblasting (thbuk.co.uk).  “ I was really impressed by the team and the level of coaching available at the Formula Gulf Academy. The car is perfect for adapting to driving with slicks and wings, building on my current experience in Formula Ford. I can see lots of room to develop my driving with the academy and hope to use it as part of my winter programme before the 2018 season”. 

One of Thailand’s most promising young racers, Kane Shepherd, who competed in the SEA F4 championship, returned to Dubai for his first single seater race in the Middle East. 16 year old Kane, who came away with two second place trophies, was very pleased with the weekend and the learning opportunity it provided whilst working with top driver coach Andy Pardoe. “Next time!” was his telling comment about his intention to give James a run for his money at the next event.

15 year old Polish rookie Filip Kaminiarz was very pleased to get on the podium in his first ever single seater race. "I am very happy to finish in 3rd place” he said. "I hope I will be able to spend more time behind the wheel, not just in Poland, but also while training and racing abroad with the Gulf program. Many thanks to the team at home and abroad”.

 A last minute entry from the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Talal Beshara provided a steep learning curve for this talented young kart racer. He was kept busy learning to drive a car for the first time, improving his lap times at every session. Talal got to grips with it quickly, even finishing ahead of the more experienced Kaminiarz in the second race.

The next session takes place at the Dubai Autodrome on the 8th December on the Grand Prix Circuit at the Dubai Autodrome.

Round 1 & 2 Preview

GulfSport Racing’s acclaimed young driver development championship continues with a busy two day program on the technical 3.56kms National Circuit this weekend.

Formula Gulf Academy has attracted more than 50 professional young drivers from around the world over the previous six seasons. This week will see four ambitious youngsters, all of whom will be flying with Emirates airline to Dubai, drive their identical Ralph Firman built 186bhp 12,400 rpm slicks and wings racing cars under the expert tutelage of professional driver coach Andy Pardoe, performance engineer Martin Hope and fitness coach Frederic Jacobs.

Thailand’s Kane Shepherd showed great skill and speed when testing at Yas Circuit recently and is likely to set the pace on the Dubai circuit on Friday. Kane is only 16 years of age but with many kart racing championships behind him and a few SEA F4 races under his belt, he is expected to do what several previous Academy drivers have been able to do, and that is to move straight into an F3 car next season.

15 year old Filip Kaminiarz, one of Poland’s most promising young drivers competed in the KIA LOTOS RACE series before enrolling in the 2017 Formula Gulf Academy program. He also had a valuable weekend on the Yas Circuit getting to grips with a very different car than he was used to - a lightweight single seater with aerodynamics and a six speed sequential gearbox - but on day two made huge progress and put in some very respectable lap times. 

Bahrain’s Talal Beshara, who finished in 2nd place in the FIA’s GCC Young Driver Academy in May will be joining the program this weekend to help develop his car racing skills and will be driving the Formula Gulf car for the first time. Talal has an impressive kart racing record and with support from Bahrain would make a great Ambassador for the Kingdom as he progresses with an international racing career. Talal is just 16 years of age.

Student and Formula Ford specialist James Scott-Murphy will be flying from Lincoln, England to gain experience of a fast single seater, but this time with aero. James, now 18 years of age was awarded the ‘Best Newcomer Award’ by the BRSCC for his performances in the 2016 Avon Tyres Formula Ford 1600 series last year.

Local young hopeful, 15 year old Tara Eichenberger, who showed great promise at the Yas Marina pre-season testing will not be competing at this event.

With practise on the Thursday afternoon and quali and two races on Friday, you are most welcome to come say hi to the drivers and team - entrance is free of charge.