Tye and Clarke land factory sodikart drive for 2021
Image © Sodikart
Two young Brits are to step up to the OK-Junior category, thanks to factory drives with French manufacture Sodi Kart. Both Cathal Clarke and Nathan Tye Jnr have impressed in 2020 and have been rewarded with a seat in the factory squad, alongside France’s Arthur Dorison.
Tye has shown pace in pretty much everything he has driven in 2020. Driving for Oliver Rowland Motorsport, he took 2nd in the British Championship, as well as winning the British Kart Grand Prix and the UKC Super Cadet championship. He also had success abroad, finishing on the podium at the Iame International Games in November.
By contrast, Clarke had a solid year in domestic competition. He finished 17th in the British Championship, despite missing the final 2 rounds. He also had a decent run in the UKC to finish 7th and 5th at the British Kart Grand Prix. It was in Europe that he impressed. Clarke opened his season with 5th at the Iame Winter Cup in Valencia behind more experienced drivers. Then he went on to bag the Mini X30 Euro Series by 3 points for Fusion Motorsport.
The fast pairing will drive for the Trèfle Racing team, who run Sodi’s factory racing effort. Team Boss Jean-Philippe Guignet said about the signing of the two drivers: “We thought it would be interesting to ask two young British drivers to complete the team. We have reached an agreement with Cathal Clark, winner of the X30 Mini Euro Series, and Nathan Tye Jnr, Vice British Cadet Champion and 3rd in the International Games – X30 Mini”.
The Trio of Dorison, Clarke and Tye will have a rather busy 2021, competing in the FIA Karting Championship, WSK and Champions of the future series. They will also have outings in some ‘classic’ events, such as the winter cup. Therefore, their season is due to kick off with the WSK Champion’s Cup in Adria on February 18th – 21st.
