Premier Profile

Ronan McKenzie

Date of birth:	1998

Biography

2012. RONAN MCKENZIE SECURES KF3 SEAT UNDER LAST MINUTE DEAL WITH PKP MOTORSPORT & DINO KART

13 year old kart champion Ronan McKenzie, who was forced to turn down a works assisted KF3 drive in Italy due to lack of funding earlier this year, has secured a last minute deal which will see him on the KF3 grid in the UK in a matter of days.

Dorset-based PKP Motorsport, the factory team of Danish kart manufacturer Dino, has stepped in at the eleventh hour to sign the talented Northamptonshire youngster on a factory-backed deal after McKenzie impressed Team Principals Leon Cole and Sean Girdler with an exceptional KF3 test drive.

Girdler said "To have Ronan McKenzie on board with PKP Motorsport was a big goal for us, and we are delighted that we have managed to secure him as a team driver with this last minute deal." Cole added "We are really excited for the 2012 KF3 campaign and with Ronan joining us we believe we have a strong team."

Despite competing on a limited budget since 2006 with his dad Jason as mechanic on weekends, in the Easykart series McKenzie has had several top twenty finishes in Europe and has three UK titles under his belt, including winning the 2010 Cadet UK Championship and "E" Plate Open Championship aged just eleven.

McKenzie graduated to the Easykart Junior class in 2011, finishing third in the UK Championship, with a debut win and a clutch of podiums. He went on to totally dominate the Junior "E" Plate Open Championship in February this year, winning all races unchallenged from pole, becoming the first driver to win the title in two different classes.

The Dino factory-backed drive from PKP Motorsport - who count LG Ericsson among their sponsors - together with McKenzie's own supporters, motor trade software provider Dragon2000 and blast cleaning firm PIL Gritblast, now brings a full season of KF3 racing within reach for McKenzie this year.

"This is an amazing chance for me and there will be a lot to learn in my rookie year, going from my Dad running me to being part of a factory team," said McKenzie, who is also an Associate Driver of Cranfield University's prestigious Motorsport Programme.

"It will be hard work but I"m ready for the step up to KF3 and I can't wait to get started," he added, "I'm really grateful to PKP and Dino for giving me this fantastic opportunity and very excited about the season ahead."

McKenzie will be competing in the ultra-competitive KF3 125cc class for 13-17 year olds in the MSA British Super One Championship, alongside other selected events in the UK and Europe. He will make his KF3 class debut for PKP Motorsport in the first round of the Super One Championship at PF International this weekend on 21-22 April.

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PREVIOUS SERIES

Ronan totally dominated the Easykart UK E Plate Open Championship in the Junior 100cc class, held on 19 February 2012 at Whilton Mill International circuit.

Qualified Pole
Won the Heat from Pole
Won the Pre-Final from Pole (and scored 5 extra points for Fastest Lap)
Won the Final from Pole

All races won by a margin of 2-4 seconds without challenge.

Ronan scored 265 out of a maximum of 270 points to give him the 2012 Title. He will now race the Easykart UK Junior 100cc Championship under the "e" plate instead of a number.

Ronan is the only driver to have won the "e" plate Open Championship in two different classes, sporting the "e" plates as a Cadet in 2010 and now in Junior for 2012, the first time Ronan has contested the Junior Title.

» Read the complete biography of Ronan McKenzie

Karting career highlights

Easykart UK E-Plate champion in the Junior 100cc class 2012.
Third in Easykart UK - Junior 2011.
Easykart UK champion in the Cadet class 2010.
Third in Easykart UK - Cadet 2009.
Winner of the Easykart UK E-Plate in the Cadet class 2009.

Ronan McKenzie's latest tweets

ronanmckenzie: Filming some laps with Ronan, he's wearing a helmet camera for on board footage http://t.co/M5iscpu5

ronanmckenzie: Having a warm up before the presenter arrives http://t.co/uJNrzhFg

ronanmckenzie: Getting the karts ready as the camera crew arrive http://t.co/oCMuOuFk

ronanmckenzie: On way to the track for filming with the BBC. Weather is great!

ronanmckenzie: @jordan_peter72 Ronans next race is at larkhall 30 jun - 1 July at round 3 of Super 1

» Follow Ronan McKenzie on Twitter

Questions and Answers with Ronan McKenzie

Q: Who is your racing hero?
A: Lewis Hamilton, because he started in Karting and is a great driver.

» Ronan has answered 15 more questions!

This profile page was last modified 2012-02-23 21:53:21 by Dirk Kempen
Modification: Easykart UK E-Plate - Junior 100cc 2012