Australian karting icon David Sera has received the opportunity to lead a team of Australian Champions to compete in Italy next February.

Seventeen time Australian Champion Sera, will join Troy Loeskow, Liam McLellan and Matthew Waters aboard the new Ricciardo Kart – named after Australian F1 star, Daniel Ricciardo – at the 2015 Winter Cup in Italy.

For Sera, the honour to lead the team is a dream coming true.

“As a kid you always dream of representing your country, and this opportunity is another dream of mine that has come true,” said Sera, who will compete in the elite KZ2 class at the event.

“I’ve raced in Europe in other classes of karting but never in KZ2, I’m excited about taking on the best drivers in the world in a kart bearing the name of Australia’s Formula 1 star.”

During last month’s Race of Stars event on the Gold Coast, Sera diced with World Champions Davide Forè and Jonathan Thonon – something he is looking forward to again while flying the Australian flag in Italy.

While Sera is excited about having the opportunity to represent his country, Ricciardo is thrilled to be able to provide the opportunity for former rival, Sera and the other the Australian Champions.

“Kart racing is something that I am very passionate about. It taught me a lot during my younger years and I’m looking forward to seeing the Australian Champions in a Ricciardo Kart in February,” remarked Ricciardo.

“It’s a very exciting prospect to have such high quality Australian talent coming to Europe to compete in the same team. David (Sera) and I raced against each other in our younger days and he was a great competitor.”

The Team Australia drivers will be supported in their campaign at the 20th annual Winter Cup in South Garda, Italy by Karting Australia and have received the opportunity by virtue of their success in the CIK Stars of Karting Championship.