Alex Penfold Canadian karter on the move...
Sunoco Ron Fellows
Karting Championship graduate signs to run 3rd Speed GT Porsche |
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Penfold will drive the third car alongside Robin Liddell and team owner Jon Groom.
"We’re
very happy to have Alex on board for his debut in World Challenge GT racing and
in a Porsche. We recently did an extended test with Alex and he proved to be
quick, consistent and very grounded for a 19 year old," Groom said. "He got on
very well with the team and should have a great future in sportscar racing."
Doug Spranger, Team Manager added, "We’re hoping that Alex will continue for the balance of the season as he’s well-liked by the team, has a willingness to learn and, most importantly, early testing has shown him to be surprisingly quick and consistent."
Penfold will be one of two 19 year olds entered in the GT field of the SPEED World Challenge, but has had much racing success already given his young age.
Penfold started kart racing
in 1999 and by 2001 he was winning races, eventually earning the OKRA
Championship “Senior Rookie of the Year” award, followed by 3rd overall
in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship in 2002.
Alex ran select shifter kart
races in 2003, winning the Stars of Tomorrow Windsor Grand Prix by a clear 14
second margin before graduating to the Honda Michelin Challenge Series in 2004,
where he had a pole, two wins and two podiums. It was a performance that earned
him the Rookie of the Year title and sixth place overall.
"I’m really excited about this opportunity to drive one of
the Jon Groom Racing 911 Porsches in what is one of the most exciting series
around. I’d like to thank my Manager for his support in getting me here, and
also Chris Pfaff who has helped me to this point in my career and is also a
sponsor of the team. I know I have a lot to learn, but I can’t wait to get
started in March.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to do the rest of the season and
fight for Rookie-of-the-Year," Penfold said.