US F4: Karting team Benik to partner with Carlin

Benik Kart, a prominent name in the karting industry, is partnering with UK-based Carlin Motorsport to start a U.S. Formula 4 team for the 2016 season and beyond.

"We see this as a step up the ladder for our kart team," said Nick Mitchell, co-owner of Benik Kart. "We have been so successful the past few years, winning many big championships in 2014-'15, and it seemed like the right time to move forward with Formula 4."

The F4 team will serve as a progression not just for Benik Kart drivers, but for anyone looking to move from karts to cars. With the Carlin partnership, Benik's Formula 4 venture will have years of success and proven results behind its efforts.

This year, Carlin fielded drivers in the following series: GP2, GP3, Formula Renault, the Formula 3 European Championship, BRDC F4 and Indy Lights. Its British F4 team won the drivers and teams championships with Lando Norris.

Carlin has long been in the business of launching drivers' careers, and has provided cars for some of the biggest names in motorsports. Current F1 drivers Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg have all driven for the team, along with IndyCar starts Josef Newgarden and Will Power.

Benik Kart arrived on the U.S. karting scene in late 2013 at the annual SKUSA SuperNationals. Owned and operated by long-time karting industry members Ben Cruttenden and Nick Mitchell, the British duo is working hard to establish a high quality and user-friendly brand throughout North America. Benik has won several major championships over the past two seasons including the Florida Winter Tour, United States Pro Kart Series, Challenge of Americas, ROK Cup USA and the Pan American Championship.

"We are very excited to start this team," Mitchell said. "We hope that, with Carlin behind us, we will be able to launch the careers of tomorrow's open-wheel racing champions."