The Next World Rally Star will be crowned in Malaysia

The world governing body of motorsport, the FIA, recently launched the Pirelli-backed ‘star driver' project offering drivers of qualifying age competing in the International Rally of Whangarei, NZ in June and Rally Malaysia in October a fantastic opportunity to further their rallying career.

The Pirelli star driver scheme is a world-wide search for five young rally drivers from the 2008 and 2009 FIA regional championships; one each from the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions and two from Europe. In 2008, Rally of Whangarei and Rally Malaysia are the qualifying Asia Pacific events and, to qualify, drivers have been under the age of 27 on 1 January 2008.

The successful drivers from each year will then contest six full World Rally Championship events the following season in a Super 2000 or Group N Car. The scheme also provides the winning five drivers with funding for personal development, fitness and safety programmes, all underwritten by Pirelli, the official tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship.

During the 2008 and 2009 Pirelli star driver competitions, ways to develop the scheme will be considered with possible enhancements including the opportunity for the most successful star driver to be offered a test drive by a WRC team.

Competitors are also eligible for financial assistance and it is recommend that you complete your registration/application as soon as possible so a decision can be made on your eligibility for financial assistance.

Close of registrations/applications will be at the closing of entries for each of the qualifying events, eg, Whangarei, Friday 16 May and Malaysia, Friday 19 September. There is no fee payable and no penalty should you not continue with your intended programme. If there is a remote possibility you could be interested in this, we recommend you complete the registration/application form soon.

This is a fantastic opportunity for any aspiring rally driver in our region and questions on eligibility, logistics or anything else with regards to the programme should be directed to Mr. Murray Brown e-mail : murray.brown@xtra.co.nz