TASMANIA'S karting credentials have received a major boost with a team of drivers set to compete in all five rounds of the national championships for the first time in recent memory.
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Devonport's Brody Appleby and Launceston trio Nathan Zuj, Jackson Callow and Lachlan Dalton were announced on Saturday as the inaugural members of the newly formed AWC Motorsport Academy, which will be under the mentorship of Tasmanian motor sport champion Marcos Ambrose.
Twenty-seven-year-old Zuj, who has been the yardstick of Tasmanian karting for many years, said the academy's support would allow his teammates to enter the championships for the first time.
"It's a big deal being able to compete against some of the biggest guys in Australia and to show that Tassie, we're not left behind," he said.
"I've been racing down here in Tasmania now for 16 years and I've been over on the mainland on various occasions but I haven't actually competed in the Australian Karting Championships before so having Andrew Walter Construction sponsoring us to get over there and be able to do all five rounds is a big help."
Academy team principal Andrew Walter said Ambrose would be on hand to coach the quartet at a test day in Melbourne next year.
"It's just fantastic," he said.
"Marcos wants to keep a low profile but he talks to the kids, he's got a great understanding, he can see what a kart's doing or not doing and what a driver needs to do or not do."
