Eddie Irvine Sports has launched the Northern Irish Schools Karting Cup (NISKC), giving students from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to get onto the grid and experience competitive motorsport, many of whom will be competing for the first time.
Taking place Wednesday 18th March, the Northern Irish Schools Karting Cup is open to any school or college student aged 11-18. The challenge is a team based sport, with teams consisting of three drivers from the same school/ college.
Each team must complete a mandatory practice session, which is being held Wednesday 11th March. The practice session provides all drivers the chance to acclimatise to the speed and handling of the karts whilst also learning the track inside-out so that when the green light shows, every driver is fully prepared.
The driving force behind the initiative, Eddie Irvine Sports Centre Manager, Stuart Millar said, “Motorsport has always been my number one passion and I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to compete in karting representing my school ten years ago. It provided me with a first glimpse into life on the track and my first experience of competitive motorsport which allowed me to go on to race in different categories throughout the years.”
He continues; “Motorsport can be a very expensive sport to break into, so opportunities like this are essential to ensure that young people from all walks of life have the chance to get on the grid and give it a go.”
Utilising the expertise of Eddie Irvine’s unique experience in Formula 1 motor sport, Eddie Irvine Sports is the best indoor karting venue in Ireland. Karting is a great activity for all and for those that shine, Eddie Irvine Sports can provide the perfect entrance to other forms of motor sport.
The recently re-configured indoor track is approximately 400m in length and is designed to challenge drivers of all abilities, from the novice, to world class motor sport professionals.
Stuart said, “Excitement is building as we draw nearer to race day, the track is primed, and the karts are race ready. Who knows, perhaps we will find the next Eddie Irvine or Lewis Hamilton?”
Many of the drivers who are competing have had an introduction into karting through the Eddie Irvine Sports Karting Academy, which holds camps for children and young people between the ages of 8 and 16 years old during the school holidays at Easter, Summer and Halloween.
Stuart commented, “The Karting Academy provides a unique opportunity for young people who want to get involved or want to develop their skill on the track. We provide an environment where they can learn the essential skills required to race wheel to wheel, alongside the skills they need to lap consistently and lap fast.”
Eddie Irvine Sport Centre was established in 2003 and is owned by local Formula 1 racing legend Eddie Irvine. This family run sports centre has become one of Northern Ireland’s top indoor sporting facilities and includes one of Ireland’s largest indoor purpose built karting tracks, one of Northern Ireland’s only indoor laser combat arenas, as well as 6 F1 Curve Simulators, 10 state of the art Virtual Reality Simulators and 6 – 3rd-generation field turf football pitches.
For more information, or to enter a team into the first Northern Ireland Schools Karting Cup, please call 028 9145 1457 or visit www.eddieirvinesports.com.
