TOP SIX IN ACADEMY OPENER FOR AUSSIE KY BURKE IN FRANCE

Queenslander Ky Burke showed true grit and determination to claim a top six finish at the opening round of the 2024 FIA Karting Academy Trophy in France on the weekend.

Queensland teenager Ky Burke recorded a sixth place finish in the opening round of the 2024 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Queenslander Ky Burke showed true grit and determination to claim a top six finish at the opening round of the 2024 FIA Karting Academy Trophy in France on the weekend.

After being forced to start from the rear of the grid for his three heat races following a qualifying penalty, the Bundaberg teenager showed speed and maturity to continually manoeuvre his way toward the front of the field and ensure he made the 34-kart grid for the final.

Starting from 24^th on the grid in the final, Burke methodically worked his way up the order and was classified sixth in the final standings.

Making Burke’s charge after being excluded from qualifying more impressive is the fact that all 50 drivers in the Academy Trophy use identical Exprit karts powered by Vortex engines and Maxxis tyres to ensure the focus is on a driver’s talent and skills.

The event doubled as the second round of the Mondokart.com FIA European Championship for the OK and OK-Junior Classes.

In OK, it was Xavier Avramides who finished as the best of the Aussies in 19^th.  After starting from 26^th in the final, Lewis Francis was eliminated on the opening lap of the final while Dante Vinci failed to qualify for the final.

Victorian youngster William Calleja showed plenty of promise in OK-Junior before recording a DNF in the final.  James Anagnostiadis enjoyed a solid run to record a 23^rd place finish in a field that attracted 87 entries.