Queensland's rising karting star, Ky Burke, is set to carry the Australian flag on the global stage as Australia's representative in the prestigious 2024 FIA Karting Academy Trophy.
Burke is one of 45 young drivers from all around the globe who will be competing in this year’s Academy Trophy. The FIA Karting Academy Trophy is a formula unique in the world, aimed at training and detecting young talents who compete on equal terms. The OTK Group has been entrusted with the management of the identical Vortex OK-Junior-powered karts, which are randomly allocated.
This announcement comes on the heels of fellow Queenslander Max Walton's outstanding performance in the 2023 series, where Walton finished as the runner-up.
Burke, hailing from Bundaberg, has been making waves in the karting scene since he first hit the track in 2016. His journey has been marked by remarkable achievements, showcasing both skill and determination.
In 2019, Burke made his debut in the Australian Kart Championship, where he was crowned the Cadet 9 Champion, marking a significant milestone early in his racing career. His trajectory continued upward in 2021, securing a remarkable third overall in the Australian Kart Championship Cadet 12 category.
The international stage beckoned in 2022 when Burke competed in the X30 Jr class at the SKUSA SuperNats in Las Vegas, America. His outstanding performance saw him qualify third fastest in a highly competitive field.
In 2023, Burke competed in the elite junior (KA2) category in Australia and showcased his prowess by finishing fourth overall for the championship. His achievements did not stop there, as he earned a coveted spot to compete for Australia at the FIA Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship in Sepang, where he emerged victorious as the Champion in the Junior category.
"It will be my honour to represent my country over in Europe during the 2024 FIA Karting Academy Trophy. It has been my dream to compete against the best in the world and be exposed at the world stage. For me to race against the world's best will be a challenge, but I will represent Australia as best as I can," said Burke.
"By having this opportunity, it will expose me to greater steps in my future career in motorsport. I believe I have what it takes to compete in Europe, as I have already had international experience over in Malaysia and America."
As Burke gears up for the 2024 FIA Karting Academy Trophy, he will compete in the opening round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship on the final weekend (Feb 22-25) of February in Adelaide.