Scuderia Vittoria has hailed its KX Akademy driver development programme as a success, after former KX recruit Mike Bushell made his debut in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Knockhill last weekend (24-25 August).
Bushell, aged 23 from Tunbridge Wells, joined Scuderia Vittoria’s KX Akademy ranks in the Renault UK Clio Cup in June.
Funded by KX Energy Drink, the KX Akademy is a bursary programme designed to assist young, talented drivers in their ascent up the motorsport ladder.
With the leading Scuderia Vittoria team behind him, Bushell received training in various disciplines – everything from media training to lessons on sponsorship acquisition – and benefited from priceless mentoring from double BTCC Champion Jason Plato – the most successful driver in the championship’s distinguished history in terms of race wins.
Having raised his profile and developed as a driver during his term in the KX Akademy, Bushell (pictured) tested IP Tech Race Engineering’s sole NGTC-spec Chevrolet Cruze at Snetterton last week, before making his BTCC racing debut with the Andy Neate-led squad at Knockhill on the weekend (24-25 August).
The Renault UK Clio Cup is a prominent fixture on the BTCC’s illustrious support package and is recognised as a feeder series to Britain’s premier motor racing championship.
However, with a strong presence on the UK Clio Cup grid and plans to expand its operations in the burgeoning Michelin Clio Cup Series and the club-level Saxmax Championship, the London-based Scuderia Vittoria team has established itself as a pioneer in the development of young talent.
“Scuderia Vittoria was delighted to welcome Mike Bushell aboard for what has been an exciting phase in the KX Akademy,” said Scuderia Vittoria Director, Danny Buxton. “It was a great chance for him to demonstrate his ability to brands like Tesco, as well as former double BTCC Champion Jason Plato, and it’s a testament to the effectiveness of the KX Akademy that Mike has had the chance to race in the BTCC.
“The KX-backed programme provides drivers will all the tools necessary for them to progress, developing them into successful racers while also raising their individual profiles. And with plans to expand Scuderia Vittoria’s already successful operations in the entry-level Michelin Clio Cup and the Saxmax Championship, we are proud to provide young, prospective Touring Car and GT racers with an unbroken path to the top rungs of the motorsport ladder.”
Rounds 13 and 14 of the Renault UK Clio Cup are scheduled to take place on the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby, Northamptonshire on 14-15 September, while the new-for-2013 Michelin Clio Cup Series resumes on Kent’s world-famous Brands Hatch circuit a week later on 21-22 September.
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