Karl Reindler

Age: 23 years
Date of Birth: 18th April 1985
Place of Birth: Perth, Western Australia
Parents: Chris and Peggie Reindler
Siblings: Ella (21yrs) and Christopher(19yrs)

School: Year 12 Completed. Passed TEE
Subjects: English; German; Physics; Discrete Math; Applicable Math; Art

Further Studies: Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Karl showed an early interest in two and four wheel machines. He was introduced to karting at the age of five at the Indoor Kart Centre in Perth. Karl maintained an enthusiastic interest with this form of karting and displayed a degree of natural ability and competence.

He also made use of a Yamaha 50cc motorbike that he took out to the bush or sometimes ran at Wanneroo Raceway when the track was not being used.

1999
At the commencement of 1999, he joined the Tiger Kart Club in Western Australia and raced in the Junior National Light Class for that year. It was a new learning curve for him, however, by the end of the year he was proving to be a thinking and competent driver with mid-field race times being recorded.

2000
In the year 2000, Karl raced Junior National Heavy and Junior Clubman. As a more mature driver, he experienced a number of successes during the year in both classes of racing.

2001
At the commencement of 2001, in his third year of racing, Karl obtained his A grade Senior Licence and raced the C.I.K. Intercontinental A Series at four meetings in the Eastern States. This was a major move into the big league of karting and he coped adequately, despite the traveling and the fact that in most instances he had never raced at these tracks before. He adapted to the different style of driving and managed the engine requirements extremely well.

In October 2001, Karl competed in the West Australian State Sprint Kart Championships. His championship win in the Formula Rotax Class was a credit to his determination and mature attitude in a very competitive field. This was achieved at the age of sixteen, in his first year as a senior driver and competing against others with many more years experience.

2002
During 2002, Karl competed in the C.I.K. Intercontinental A Series. At the completion of the third round, Karl was running in second position in the series. The final round was run at Geelong where an inconsistent batch of tyres were the cause of difficult racing conditions and an equal third on points for the series was a good outcome.

At local kart racing in Western Australia, Karl continued with his success, winning numerous events.

In August 2002, Karl travelled to Adelaide to test drive a Formula 3 open-wheeler for Team BRM. He showed a level-headed approach and maturity to this task that far out-weighed his age. It was an amazing exhibition of skill in a high technology racing car. Karl was somewhat stunned a week later when he was offered the drive as the number two driver for the 2003 season.

2003
The 2003 Season began with a Practice Session at Mallala S.A. on 11th March 2003 in preparation for the Adelaide Clipsal 500, street circuit, to be held 22nd & 23rd April. Karl worked with his engineer on ensuring good start procedures and tyre testing for endurance. Team Manager Ian Richards commented on Karl's maturity and how he works well with the team.

The daunting street circuit of Adelaide was Karl's first Formula 3 race on 22nd and 23rd March 2003. Taking into account he was being observed by stewards in order to obtain a permanent C4 licence grading, he performed exceptionally well. Qualifying positions of ninth and seventh were accomplished for the first two races respectfully. He finished seventh in the first race and despite a spin in the chicane in the second race, he managed to control the car, keep the engine running and finished ninth. He was also one of several drivers whose fastest lap was under last years lap record.

As the season progressed Karl steadily improved and became more familiar with the Formula 3. He continued to qualify in the top five and up until Phillip Island was knocking on the door for a podium finish.

This did occur at Phillip Island when two 3rd placed positions gave him an outright 3rd position for the meeting. This was quite an accomplishment when taking into account the unforgiving nature of this circuit. This result placed Karl in 6th position for the Championship.

Winton was Karl's seventh and final round of the 2003 championship. With no previous practice at this track, he once again proved his ability by qualifying well, and finishing 3rd and 2nd in his races, which resulted in 3rd outright for the meeting.

During 2003 in Western Australia, Karl had been racing a Formula Vee to gain further experience in close open wheel racing. Although dramatically underpowered compared to the Formula 3 and having no ground effects or aerodynamic assistance, Karl proved to be a strong competitor against the established drivers in this class.

At the conclusion of the Western Australian Formula Vee Calendar, Karl was placed in 3rd position in the State Titles, as well as 3rd in the Gold Star Series, after missing the final round due to injury.

His ability to adapt to the totally different driving disciplines between Formula 3 and Formula Vee demonstrates the natural art of driving that Karl possesses.

At the conclusion of the 2003 racing season, Karl was announced the Rookie of the Year, not only in the Western Australian Formula Vee Championship, but also in the Australian Formula 3 Championship; a huge achievement in only his first year of Car racing.

2004
Karl's racing season started off by attending the Australian Institute of Sport as part of the CAMS Rising Star Program, he later went on to win the award, a huge comeback after fracturing his spine in October of the previous year.

His first race of the 2004 season was the Prestigious Lady Wigram Trophy at Ruapuna Circuit, Christchurch, New Zealand. Having been out of the car for over three months, Karl proved he had lost nothing, and achieved a respectable 3rd place finish.

Over the Australian Championship Season, Karl won 5 races, achieved 5 pole positions, 1 x 2nd place, and 6 x 3rd places, to become Australian Formula 3 Champion at only 19 years of age.

In August of 2004, Karl tested with arguably one of the best Formula 3 teams in the world, Carlin Motorsport. The two day test at Pembrey in Wales, was a huge learning curve, and gave him a taste of what British F3 would be like. Later in the year, he raced at the Bahrain F3 Superprix, one of the biggest F3 meetings worldwide. Again, Karl learnt a lot, a realised what it takes to drive at an International level.

2005
Again, Karl's year started off with a trip to the Australian Institute of Sport, but this time it was for the CAMS Elite Driver Program. The Course was designed for Australian Drivers intending on an International Motorsport Career, and set them up with everything they needed to know to compete successfully overseas.

Unfortunately, Karl's first race didn't end up happening until July, in the highly competitive British Formula 3 Championship. It started late in June, when he signed up with successful team, "Alan Docking Racing", and immediately began testing. Alan Docking has had many drivers come through his team and progress onto bigger and better things, including Mika Salo, Mark Webber, Marcus Ambrose just to name a few.

The first race was at the historical Monza Circuit in Italy, and after coming to grips with the daunting circuit, came home to finish an incredible 7th place in his British F3 debut race.

Karl also raced at Nurburgring, Silverstone GP, and Mondello Park during the season, and arrived at the Finale at Silverstone International full of confidence. He achieved his best qualifying result here, with a 6th place, which turned into a 7th place finish in the race.

To top off an already exciting year, Karl raced at the most famous Formula 3 race in the world, the Macau Grand Prix. This race has been won by some of the most famous Formula 1 World Champions in the past, and is renowned for being one of the toughest (both physically and mentally), and most unforgiving circuits in the world. After qualifying 17th out of a maximum grid of cars, Karl came through to finish 13th in the Feature Race. Not only this, he managed to complete the whole weekend unscathed, something only a handful of drivers managed.

Apart from Formula 3, Karl was nominated as one of A1GP Team Australia's Test Drivers, along side Christian Jones, Will Power, and Will Davison.

2006/2007
Karl tested in Japan and the USA during the off season at the start of 2006, in both Formula 3 and Formula Atlantic respectively. While in the USA, he was invited to the A1GP Round at Laguna Seca. Despite a seat fitting, Ryan Briscoe drove the entire weekend for Team AUS; it was still a valuable insight into the A1GP category.

Testing was successful in the off season, but Karl eventually ended back up in British F3 with Alan Docking Racing again, for 9 rounds of the championship. Highlights were a 6th place at the well-known Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium, and 6th at Donington Park.

At the completion of the season, Karl was chosen as the rookie driver along side Ryan Briscoe for Team AUS in A1GP. The season started off well with a podium for Ryan at the first round at Zandvoort in Holland. Karl stepped up to the race seat for 5 rounds of the A1GP championship, and managed a podium himself at the notorious Beijing Street Circuit.

In 2007, Karl drove in the Formula V6 Asia Category at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia, as well as Autopolis in Japan, where a podium finish was achieved. He has also successfully tested a V8 Supercar for Dick Johnson and the Jim Beam Racing Team.

2008
Karl started off the season racing in the prestigious Rolex Daytona 24hr event in Florida. Qualifying 3rd place, and eventually finishing 23rd out of 46 cars in the class.

The main focus of 2008 however, was on the Australian Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship. After a consistent year, including a call up to drive in the world famous Supercheap Bathurst 1000km race (finishing 18th on debut), he eventually finished 8th in the championship - enough to secure the Rookie of the Year title.

AMBITIONS
Karl is determined to compete at the highest level of professional motorsport in the World and in his home country of Australia. His intentions are to succeed to the highest level and standard and there is no doubt that he will achieve a career in motor racing.

Karl has the temperament to succeed in motor racing and is totally supported by his family.