Jack Harvey Racing - News - Harvey Takes To Stage And Track At Autosport International

Lincolnshire racer Jack Harvey set out his intention of challenging for the Formula BMW Europe Series title this season when he took to the Karting Stage at the Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham this weekend.

The Racing Steps Foundation-supported racer was present on the stage for three days of the show giving an insight into the transition from karting to cars following his move into Formula BMW last year. However, with his eyes firmly set on the challenge of lifting the crown this year, Jack was keen to talk about his season ahead.

“The show was a great way to start the 2010 season off,” said Jack. “I enjoyed being on the Formula Kart Stars stage, answering the questions about my past years in karts and about the year ahead. It's no secret that my aim is to go for the Formula BMW title this year and it was good to be able to talk about it in Birmingham in front of the motorsport crowd,” he added.

The former European and Asia-Pacific karting champion also had his Fortec Motorsport Formula BMW race car on prime display for the duration of the show. The 16 year-old was available to talk to the youngsters from the various Formula Kart Stars championships about what it was like moving into the Grand Prix supporting series.

As well as talking about his past racing experiences and his future ambitions, Jack was also in action in the David Brabham Charity Kart Race in the Live Action Arena on Friday afternoon, alongside his Racing Steps team-mates, which included 125cc MotoGP star Bradley Smith.

Against a selection of former Grand Prix, Le Mans and Touring Car stars, Jack and the rest of the Racing Steps team managed to come home in 9^th place out of 27 teams on the tight and challenging 400 metre circuit after an exciting 90-minute race.

“We ran as high as fourth at one point in the race and looked good for a possible podium result,” said Jack. “But, it was a bit chaotic in places as the race was red-flagged a few times as the track needed to be repaired after some exuberant driving!” he joked.

“It was great to be involved in the race again this year. It was predominantly for Malaria No More UK and it raised a lot of awareness. There were a lot of big name drivers out there and it was good to be racing against them. It was a short lap and very busy, but great fun and I'm sure everyone enjoyed it.”

Jack now heads into the enforced testing ban throughout February before the official BMW tests get underway in March. His first event of the 2010 season will take place at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona at the beginning of May. Despite the lack of seat time though, Jack isn't going to be idle in the run-up to the start of the season.

“I'm going to be flat-out in the gym throughout February!” he laughed. “I think I'll be working harder than ever over the next month so I'm as ready as I possibly can be for the start of the championship. I want to be in the best place possible the moment we take to the track at the opening round in Spain, I can't wait to get there and start racing for the top step of the podium,” he added.