ARDC LAUNCHES RACE ACADEMY JUNIOR PROGRAM

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), the oldest and largest club of its type in the country, has launched their Race Academy ‘Formula Pathway’ program to support the next generation of Australian driving talent. While the initial focus will be on open-wheel motorsport – Karts to Formula 4 – there are plans to expand the academy program to touring cars and motorcycles in the future.

Supporting the ARDC in this new initiative are AGI Sport and Focus Driver Performance, both of whom operate from the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP) that was launched last year. The AMIP is based at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMP - aka Eastern Creek)

“When we first planned for the AMIP back in 2017, it was very much a goal of the ARDC to attract the best of the best in race and team development, precision engineering and technology, motorsport safety, mobility studies, education, skills development and sustainability within motorsport and allied industry business development,” said Glenn Matthews, CEO of the ARDC.

Two-Day Program

Combining circuit time at SMP with classroom instruction, Formula Pathway is a two-day program, designed to help drivers progress from top-tier karting to Formula 4 – and hopefully beyond. With an Australian Formula 4 Championship recently re-introduced, running the same cars as Europe, the program aims to foster local open wheeler talent here before they head overseas.

The course is suitable for experienced state- and national-level karters aged 14 to 18 and will include seat time in a Formula 4 at SMP.

“Karting has always been the breeding ground for future open-wheeler champions, and Formula Pathway is an amazing opportunity for up-and-coming drivers to test their skills and learn from the very best, with some of the latest technologies and Formula 4 vehicles in the country, right here at Sydney Motorsport Park,” Matthews added.

Beyond nurturing driving talent, Formula Pathway also aims to support those looking into other careers within motorsport, from engineering and data specialists to team support and even race officials.