Racing Steps Foundation Sponsoring Four Zip Young Guns

The British Karting team Martin Hines' Zip Young Guns has announced it has received sponsorship from the Racing Steps Foundation, a private fund that supports young upstart drivers and riders from Britain’s motor and motorcycle racing talent.

Under the deal that was recently signed, the squad will consist of four promising KF3 drivers in a mix of UK, European and World Championships. Among them will be 14 years-old reigning Formula Kart Stars KF3 Champion Ben Barnicoat , who is also MSA Super 1 Vice-Champion. Another drivers will be Ricky Collard, 14, son of British Touring Car’s Rob Collard.

The other two Young Guns benefiting from the backing of the foundation are 15 years-old Roy Johnson , the only British driver to win four cadet championships in a single season, and 14 years-old 2010 KF3 rookie Sam Webster.

The RSF, which funds comprehensive driver and rider development and race programs, has previously supported individual karters within the Zip Young Guns team. The most recent one was 2010 MSA Super 1 British Junior and CIK-FIA U18s World Champion, Jake Dennis, who transitioned from karts to cars, taking part in the 2011 BARC-run InterSteps Championship.

“This is the biggest squad of karters we have supported so far. Karting is the bedrock of race driving talent, giving ambitious young drivers the chance to hone their skills on their way to fulfilling their ambitions to become professional racing drivers. Martin Hines has been a key member of the RSF team since its inception in 2007 and we are very pleased to be able to help support his entire Young Guns Team in 2011,” said RSF founder Graham Sharp.