It’s a good thing Floridian Julián Correa is an energetic 16-year-old because he is embarking on a four-consecutive-weekend stint where he’ll be competing in National Championships on two different continents and in three different countries.
Unfortunately, he won’t be in action at next weekend’s Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul Championship round that’s being held in conjunction with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Instead, he’ll be in England at Brands Hatch for the next round of the British Talent Cup.
But, that’s next weekend. For this weekend, Correa is adding yet another country’s National Championship to his dance card as he races at Circuito de Navarra in Northern Spain for round four of the ESBK SuperSport 300 Championship.
Arnau Pons, the owner of the Pons Motorsport Italika Racing Team, reached out to Dani Valle, co-owner of Riders Formation (a top development program in Tarragona, Spain). Arnau was looking for a rider to step in as a wild-card entry in place of Martim Garcia, who is now focusing on the Portuguese National Championship.
Valle immediately recommended Correa since it’s an opportunity for the 16-year-old to experience another new racing environment, expand his learning, and continue his progression.
Correa previously competed in two JuniorGP European Talent Cup races, but those experiences weren’t on topnotch equipment and didn’t have the dedicated support of an FIM JuniorGP ETC team. This weekend, however, Correa will be racing for Pons Motorsport Italika Racing, which is the team that is currently leading the ESBK SuperSport 300 Championship. In addition, he’ll be guided by Daniel Ocete, the rider who is currently number one in the championship.
“The door was kicked wide-open by Dani (Valle), and I am so grateful he picked me to step up,” Correa said. “Although I won’t be racing a GP bike, it is still racing, and Spain is where the fastest in the world race. The expectation is to always be at the front battling for the win. This team has the potential to provide me with the motorcycle to do so, and I am confident we can make some magic this coming weekend.”
Here’s the rundown on Correa’s busy racing schedule over the next four consecutive weekends:
• ESBK SuperSport 300 – Circuit de Navarra – Navarra, Spain – July 18-20
• British Talent Cup – Brands Hatch – West Kingsdown, Kent, England – July 25-27
• MotoAmerica Talent Cup – VIRginia International Raceway – Alton, Virginia – August 1-3
• British Talent Cup – Thruxton Circuit – Thruxton, Hampshire, England – August 8-10
