SV Racing (SVR) will field a potent KX Akademy driver line-up that features Ant Whorton-Eales, Alex Morgan, Ash Hand and David Pittard for the duration of the 2014 season.

Lichfield’s Whorton-Eales retains KX Akademy backing for the second consecutive year and will be joined in 2014 by fellow young chargers Morgan and Hand in the Renault UK Clio Cup, while David Pittard will spearhead KX’s campaign in the Ginetta GT Supercup.

Funded by KX Energy Drink, the KX Akademy is a bursary programme designed to assist young, talented drivers on their ascent up the motorsport ladder.

Having already demonstrated their skill, determination and focus behind the wheel, Whorton-Eales, Morgan, Hand and Pittard will be equipped with the tools needed to consistently challenge at the sharp end.

With the leading SV Racing team behind them, the latest crop of KX Akademy recruits will be trained in various disciplines that are a necessity for modern-day racing drivers.

The programme will cover everything from media training to sponsorship acquisition and encompasses priceless mentoring from double British Touring Car Champion Jason Plato – the most successful driver in the championship’s illustrious history in terms of race victories.

Pittard – a former MSA British Endurance Champion – will spearhead KX Akademy’s assault on the Ginetta GT Supercup in 2014.

The 21-year old BRDC Rising Star from Hertfordshire raced to no fewer than three wins and seven podiums in the 2013 Ginetta GT5 Challenge and feels he’s well-placed to make an instant splash in the ultra-competitive GT Supercup, which runs in tandem with the BTCC.

“I am so proud and excited to have been selected for the KX Akademy and I can’t thank KX enough for its support,” said Pittard. “Having the support of the KX Akademy has allowed me to fully commit and concentrate on preparations for the new season. I hope by working together we can successfully promote my main sponsor, Sears Morgan Group, and the KX brand, both on and off track! Working alongside a brand like KX and the likes of Jason Plato will be great and I aim to make the most of every opportunity presented to me. The end of March can’t come quickly enough!”

The Lichfield-domiciled Whorton-Eales deployed lessons learned through his involvement in the KX Akademy to become a regular feature on the UK Clio Cup podium during the latter half of the 2013 season.

However, the 19-year old is well aware of the need to continue displaying the raw talent and single-mindedness that is a prerequisite in motorsport and feels re-energised by KX’s continued recognition and support.

“Considering what I achieved towards the end of last season, I should be aiming for the podium in every race from the very beginning of 2014,” said Whorton-Eales. “I have learnt so much since being inducted into the KX Akademy programme. It gave me a completely different perspective on my racing that I hope to put into practice from the off in 2014. You always want to be quicker than your teammates, but I’m teamed-up with very talented drivers and I know it’s going to be a tall order to beat them in every race. As a result,consistency will be particularly important this year.”

Bridgend-born Alex Morgan achieved a race win and countless podium finishes to take second overall in the 2013 UK Clio Cup and is determined to utilise the tools provided by KX to land the big prize this season.

“It was only misfortune that denied me last year’s UK Clio Cup title and I go into 2014 with ten times more confidence,” said Morgan. “I should cover more testing miles and gather more data than ever before during the build-up to the season so I expect to be in good shape come the first round and cause an upset by taking both the Drivers’ and Teams’ titles.

“It’s a real privilege to be selected for the KX Akademy and the opportunities and exposure has already exceeded my expectations. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the year pans out and I think the structure Danny (Buxton) has in place at SV Racing is one of the best. We have all the ingredients to make this a great year!”

Nuneaton’s Ash Hand emerged as a consistent front-runner during the tail end of last year’s fiercely-contested UK Clio Cup season and the Warwickshire teenager is well aware that a strong start to the 2014 season will be essential if he is to have a realistic shot at the title.

“You have to start as you mean to go on so we will have to be on the ball from the outset of testing if we are to have a chance of the championship,” said Hand. “Having support from the KX Akademy is massively important for my career, as it’s the perfect way of developing as a professional driver in all aspects. I’m particularly keen to draw on Jason Plato’s experience, but I’ll be working really hard throughout to ensure I maximise opportunities.”

For more information on the KX Akademy, please visit the www.kx-energy.com website, 'like' the Facebook page or follow @KXAkademy on Twitter.

And for more on SV Racing, please 'like the team's Facebook page or follow @SV_Racing on Twitter.