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Ollie Millroy Kicks Off 2007 Season |
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Sunday, 11 February 2007 |
Ollie Millroy begins his 2007 campaign in Italy next weekend (February 16-18) when he competes in the prestigious Winter Cup at the superb Lonato kart circuit in Italy. The Super 1 ICA British Kart Champion returns to the event he won in ICA last February, with a new team and a new kart as he moves up into KF1 (Formula A) with Zanardi, run by the very experienced Dino Chiesa.
The 16 year-old Claygate youngster has undergone several test sessions at the Italian track and is delighted to have settled well into the established team that has run amongst others, four current F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Tonio Liuzzi and Robert Kubica.
“Testing this week has gone really well,” said Ollie. “The first day
(Thursday) was a bit of a wash-out but Friday was very productive. It
was dry in the afternoon and we were able to put a lot of miles on the
new engines. I’m still learning more about it from each session and I
think it is like using the old junior engine in that you have to drive
it smoothly.”
The Zanardi chassis Ollie will be using this season will feature a new
125cc engine called KF1, replacing the established 100cc Formula A
engine favoured for years. Although the engine has more power, a
restrictor has been fitted reducing the revs and consequently reducing
top and bottom end speed out of the corners. Ollie though is delighted
with the performance of his Iame engines so far and is totally in
agreement with the decision the crack Italian Zanardi team made,
competing with these engines only.
“The new engines are totally different from the 100cc engines and the
kart has to be driven differently. I am sure that when all of the works
teams get to grips with them and the drivers get used to them, they
will all be as quick and competitive as they always are. It’s like most
things, no one likes change, but in a few weeks time I am sure it will
feel as though I’d never driven a 100cc engine and I expect to be up
there with the best of them.”
Apart from testing the teenager has also spent months preparing
physically for his busy season ahead, which will take him to the
European and World Championships and Italian Open and the WSK
Championships. Over the winter Ollie has worked harder than ever on
his fitness under the guidance of his personal trainers at Caterham,
Pro-Performance.
“Fitness is not an issue with me,” said Ollie. “I enjoy working out,
running and cycling and especially beating my trainer, Dan Williams! I
go there every week and my recent fitness assessment in the middle of
January showed a large increase in stamina and strength, which I intend
to continue working on throughout the year.”
Ollie will start off his weeks racing next week with more testing in
Italy, commencing on Tuesday 13th February, prior to timed qualifying
and the races on Saturday and Sunday February 17th and 18th.
To follow Ollie’s progress visit Ollie’s website on www.olliemillroy.com
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