Oliver Oakes
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Oliver Oakes (born January 11, 1988) is a British motor racing driver, and was the 2005 World Karting champion, the highest category for kart racing. He currently lives in Norfolk, UK.
[edit] Early career
After training from age 4.
1995 Shell Oils paid for Oakes to race in the Australian Championship at the age of 7 Midget Class Australia, 100cc Yamaha Engine
1996 Cadet Class England Qualified for Super 1 Championship on novice plates Finished 20th overall
1997 Many club wins including P.F. International, Wigan & Kimbolton 14th British Super 1 1st Qualifying round of Super 1
1998 5th Super 1 Series British Open Champion
1999 Won Dutch Championship races Won the Gold Cup in Amsterdam; 5th in TVKC Kart Masters; British Open Champion again (only person to win it twice in a row)
2000 Formula TKM, 5th overall in British Super 1 Championship Winner TVKC Kart Masters from 21st
2001 Junior ICA 4th European Championship; Many Belgium championship wins
2002 Tony Kart racing team driver 4th European Championship; Champion of Western Europe
2003 Tony Kart Racing Team Formula ICA; Winner of 8th Winter Cup (ICA); Winner of Margutti Cup (ICA); Runner Up Italian Open Masters 1995
2004 Swiss Hutless International
2005 PDB Racing Team 4th European Championship; 4th Italian Open Championship; CIKFIA World Champion
[edit] Post-karting career
After winning the World Championships, Oakes moved over to Formula BMW racing, with the backing of Red Bull Racing. In his first race at Brands Hatch on the 9th April, 2006, Oakes won the race after getting pole in qualifying. An amazing feat to win your first ever car race! Oakes finished 6th overall in the Formula BMW UK Championship after missing several rounds due to European commitments with Redbull racing in the European Chamionship and took a 5th in Le Mans and 7th in Barcelona respectively.
This made Oliver the tittle favourite after he signed to Join Motopark for the 2007 season. However after topping the pre-season tests the team struggled to adjust to the new aero kit and although he had some podiums during the year it was much below expectation. During the winter Oliver tested World Series cars for Comtec and Tech1, putting up some impressive times. However after feeling World Series in 2008 was not the right step, he decided to sign for Eurotek Motorsport to compete in the ultra competitive and highly regarded British Formula 3 Championship. Although its a new team and they were on the back feet after missing the pre-season testing and first races Oliver is confident with the personnel from all aspects of motorsport behind him they will be fighting for podiums towards the end of the year.
