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Jason Plato and KX Energy Drink in new British motorsport initiative

By MJP Media | 13 June 2012

Jason Plato and KX Energy Drink launched a new British motorsport initiative at Oulton Park last weekend - the KX Akademy - to help up-and-coming racers and includes mentoring from former BTCC champion Jason Plato.

The KX Akademy official launch at Oulton Park

The programme entitled KX Akademy will support individuals who have already demonstrated their skill, determination and focus and who display the raw talent and single-mindedness that is a pre-requisite in motorsport but lack the necessary funding and support. KX Energy Drink, already visible as a sponsor of the MG KX Momentum Racing team is passionate about supporting those people with talent and enthusiasm and felt a natural progression of its BTCC sponsorship was to find and assist up-and-coming 18-30 year olds in both two and four-wheel series.

The KX Akademy will help those on 4 wheels as well as 2!

The KX Akademy programme is different in many ways to other bursary activities perhaps previously seen in motorsport in that it; will support up to six candidates per year, covers two and four-wheels, age criteria is less restrictive, involves monthly candidate meetings and training for all areas including technique, media, financials, mental preparedness, race and sports psychology and so on as well as the 'money-can't-buy' element of being mentored by Jason Plato.

Jason Plato commented; "Of the scholarship-style programmes already in existence, most tend to be pretty exclusive by nature, KX Akademy is a different beast totally. KX Energy Drink is one hundred percent dedicated to giving people a leg-up, that well deserved break that we all at some point in our lives need and in motorsport there are many talented drivers and riders that are crying out for that." He goes on to say; "I will mentor the candidates, have regular close contact with them as well as see them race and work with them on their career progression. This is a fantastic opportunity that I only wish had been available when I was struggling all those years ago. As a director of the BRDC I also applaud this valuable added resource into motorsport."

Jason Plato in action at Oulton Park

David Beardmore, Category Buying Manager - Soft Drinks, Tesco Stores commented; "KX Akademy is a really exciting initiative that is all about finding and supporting young people with raw talent who have also shown they are ready to work hard to achieve their goals. The mentoring and support from Jason will be invaluable and we're really looking forward to seeing the drivers and riders develop their skills under this innovative, never-seen-before programme."

The KX Akademy programme will announce its candidates for 2012 at Croft race circuit on Sunday 24th June.

Touring Car content supplied by MJP Media