For the first time in almost a decade Australia will have a full-time representative as a part of a Factory team on the European karting scene during 2013.

Three-time Australian champion Joseph Mawson will join the Top Kart Racing Team for a complete European campaign throughout 2013, beginning this weekend where he will contest the opening round of the WSK Masters Series at the La Conca circuit in Italy. Throughout the year he will live in Italy while assisting at the Top Kart factory in Bologna in between events.

The announcement takes Mawson’s career to the next level and ensures that the Sydneysider follows in the footsteps of current Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo, IndyCar star Ryan Briscoe and V8 Supercar Champion James Courtney. All three of these drivers spent a significant amount of time living in Europe during their formative years.

Mawson, 16, will compete in the four-round WSK Euro Series, the two-round European Championship and the two-round World Championship – all in the KF category. He will continue to be supported by the Australian Motor Sport Foundation (AMSF), as he was during his 2012 campaign.

“This is just about every karting kid’s dream – to be able to live, sleep and breathe kart racing with a factory team in Italy,” said Mawson, who won the final round of the Under 18 World Karting Championship in Bahrain last November.

“Having competed in the World Under 18 Championship last year (Mawson finished 4th overall) and winning the final round, I’m confident that I can mix it with the world’s best on their home soil throughout the year.

“This opportunity has been worked on for a number of months and I’m so excited to get over there and get stuck into the racing. For the past three months I’ve been really training hard to ensure that I’m as fit as possible to obtain the best results possible when I take to the track later this week.”

Mawson’s confirmation of the signing with the factory Top Kart outfit adds further emphasis on the AMSF’s support of young Australians on the world stage.

“A key mission of the Australian Motor Sport Foundation is to facilitate the progress of talented young Australians to the pinnacle of international Motor Sport competition and we’re delighted to be able to support Joseph in the opportunity he has over in Italy,” said AMSF Chairman Geoff Morgan.

“Over the past two years we’ve seen Joseph transform from a young star on the Australian circuits to now be taking on and defeating the best there is in the world. It has been a delight to be a part of the journey with him and now with him being based in Italy full-time I look forward to seeing the results will that come his way.”