Global talent, major prizes, and one of Britain’s toughest circuits await as the Academy UK Series heads to Paul Fletcher International.
For the second event of the Champions of the Future Academy Program UK Series, the series heads north to the world-renowned Paul Fletcher International circuit, the home of British karting and a former venue for the FIA Karting World Championships. From May 15th–17th, PFI will temporarily become home to the series as drivers from across the globe, including competitors from South Africa, Switzerland, India, and Canada, go head-to-head in one of the UK’s most demanding karting venues.
A circuit famed for testing every aspect of a driver’s ability, PFI features a challenging mix of chicanes, symmetrical hairpins, elevation changes, and high-speed corners that demand immense bravery and commitment to take flat-out without braking or lifting.
Just outside the historic market town of Grantham, PF International is a unique circuit known for its sharp curves, bridge section, and distinctive banked bowl corner. The 1,382-metre track features 10 major corners, each named after a legend of the sport, including Litchfield Bridge, Bobby Game, and, of course, Mike Wilson.
New rewards raise the stakes
Recent announcements regarding new prizes for competitors are set to intensify the competition across the three days of action. New rewards include FIA Karting World Championship drives for the Junior and Senior winners, each with one of the series’ factory partner teams, as well as an entry to a January event in Macau for the overall Mini 60 champion. In addition, the overall Junior and Senior series winners will each earn an end-of-season Formula 4 test with Argenti Motorsport.
Can Silverstone winners repeat?
Looking back to Silverstone, where Mayson Hibbert claimed both Mini 60 Final victories, Louis Radcliffe and Colbe Pattison shared the OK-N Junior wins, while Harrison Whitticombe dominated OK-N Senior, PFI now marks the next chapter in the hunt for new winners, or the continued dominance of Hibbert and Whitticombe. Previous experience at the circuit could favour those who impressed at Silverstone, although the introduction of new prizes may motivate fresh contenders to emerge across all three categories.
New Faces Join the Fight
Following the success of Silverstone, several new names have elected to join the grid for Event 2, particularly in OK-N Junior and OK-N Senior, including Freddie Wood and William Antrobus. Wood, well known across both the IAME and British karting paddocks, enters the Junior category and is expected to be firmly in contention at the front of the field. Meanwhile, Antrobus, recognised throughout both the British Karting and Ginetta paddocks, joins the Senior grid. His arrival could prove to be a major challenge for Harrison Whitticombe, with both drivers sharing a strong competitive history, similar pace, and extensive experience.
The second event of the calendar is ready to begin, with Friday practice setting the tone before separate race days on Saturday and Sunday, streamed live on YouTube. With international talent, major prizes, and one of Britain’s most iconic circuits on the schedule, PFI promises a weekend not to be missed.