Ghorpade signs up for Formula Pilota

Bangalore, May 29 (IANS) Parth Ghorpade, the 18-year old from Kolhapur, Tuesday confirmed his participation in the 2012 Formula Pilota Championship which will have races in China, Taiwan and Malaysia.

The Asian series, launched in 2011, will include 20 European and Asian drivers with the championship winner getting a four-day test at the Formula One Scuderia Ferrari Academy. The series is scheduled to commence June 17 and comprises 18 rounds.

Ghorpade will be driving for Eurasia Motorsport who are also running four cars in the JK Racing Asia Series, according to a press release.

Ghorpade, the five-time National Karting champion and runner-up in the inaugural 2010 Volkswagen Polo Cup India, had competed in the Renault F4 series last year, finishing in the top five multiple times.

Ghorpade was also one of 30 young drivers from 26 countries and the only Indian to be short-listed for the prestigious FIA Institute Young Driver Academy last year.

The Pune-based Ghorpade will become the first Indian to participate in the Formula Pilota championship that has cars powered by 1400cc engine developing 180bhp.

Ghorpade said: "I am very excited about my prospects in this championship and look forward to driving in this highly competitive series. I tested the car earlier this year and was really impressed with its power and feel.

"It is important to do well in the junior formulae in order to move up the motorsport ladder so my aim is to finish on the podium in as many races as possible. With 20 drivers vying for the top spot, learning the circuits quickly will be crucial."

Following the extremely successful Formula Abarth in Europe, a new series, Formula Pilota Championship, was established in Asia last year. Also known as Formula Pilota China, the series managed to keep the Asian entry level formula up-to date with Europe and provided the exact same platform and race cars at a more affordable price.