Motorsport: Teen's racing career in hands of public

Martin Short says a groundswell of public support would take him to the Global Grand Prix Shootout in England. Photo / Richard Robinson

A teenager has his sights and heart set on a top motor racing school in England. And all he needs are online votes - lots of them - to get him there.

When he is not studying management at Waikato University, Martin Short is normally tearing around New Zealand and Australian racetracks in the Formula Ford series.

The 18-year-old from Hamilton has had six top-three finishes this season from his 31 starts.

But the young petrolhead, who began racing in go-karts in Hamilton aged 7, wants to go even faster than the 243km/h he recently clocked in his 1600cc Mygale SJ07.

"My dream is to race Formula One, absolutely," he said.

He is among dozens from around the world with a chance to compete at the Global Grand Prix Shootout in England being held next month.

The competition invites drivers from all over the world to pit their skills against each other for a contract with Formula BMW team Raikkonen Robertson Racing.

Drivers are assessed in a saloon car under the watchful eye of New Zealander Rob Wilson, who follows the same format he used to select the drivers for Honda F1's young driver programme.

But with an entry cost of about £6950 ($16,160) for the one day of qualifying, Martin has taken another route to try to get himself there.

"Three people from anywhere in the world can attend - all expenses paid - if they get the most online votes," said Martin, who won the New Zealand Rotax Max series in 2006 and placed fifth in the World Championships in Portugal the same year.

"I have been contacting all my friends and telling them to contact everyone they know too to vote for me. It would be a dream come true."

"There are a lot of Kiwis who have done well overseas in motorsport. I guess this is another opportunity to get another Kiwi over there."

The top eight drivers are invited back to race-off over three days in November at the Pembrey racing circuit in Wales where they test a Formula BMW racing car and work with engineers to set the best time possible.

They also test other skills such as their driving ability, communication, stamina, technical understanding and problem solving.

Of the eight competitors, one is offered a fully-funded 2010 Formula BMW season racing team contract in Europe.

The winner also receives a salary and expenses and a full fitness programme with top F1 driver specialists.

To vote for Martin go to: www.driverdb.com/drivers/13437/