Asia looks to racing sensations
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-16 07:46

Thomson recognized his potential in 2000 when Jamison took a karting course at a venue he runs in Hong Kong and recommended he take racing seriously.

But getting to the top is not just about talent and experience - it's about money. Motor racing is an expensive pastime and needs corporate support. For Jamison, to drive in China this year will cost at least US$160,000.

Following his successful 2005 season, some international companies have expressed an interest in sponsoring him, but none have yet committed the cash.

Nevertheless, he is confident that everything will fall into place.

"It's very difficult to break into Formula One, but I believe it is possible," he said. "It's very early days, and all I can do is keep on winning.

"But I need support to get there. It may help that I come from Asia because people want to see Asians racing at the top level."

The bigwigs of the sport know that Asia is a massive future marketplace for the traditionally European carnival, with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone hailing the region as the road ahead.

He has said he wants to see more Asians racing.

"It (Asia) is the most important part of the world, and I mean most important," he said at the Chinese Grand Prix last year.

So far, outside of Japan, the region has struggled to produce top drivers, although India's Narain Karthikeyan has proved the exception.

He raced for Jordan last year but has since been dumped due to what the team said was his "unprofessional behaviour and his unprofessional management." He will spend 2006 as a Williams test driver.

China, seen by Ecclestone as the key to unlocking Asia, also has a potential F1 racer in Tung Ho-pin, currently racing Formula 3 in Germany and has test driven for Williams.

But the list is short, which encourages Jamison to fill the void.

"The plan is to finish my education (which will take another 30 months) and continue racing Formula Renault China, then move to Europe to race Formula Three," he said.