FIA
Pirelli Star Driver Competition
As part of
a worldwide programme, the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship
has launched the Pirelli ‘Star Driver’ scheme,
a project aimed at investing in the growth of the sport and,
in particular, helping younger drivers reach World Championship
level.
The successful
driver from the region will win a drive in a series of six
FIA World Rally Championship events in a Group N or Super
2000 car supplied and serviced under an FIA contract with
a specialist preparation company.
The Pirelli
‘Star Driver’ scheme is a worldwide search for
five young rally drivers from the 2008 and 2009 FIA Regional
Championships, with one driver emerging from each of the Asia
Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions. Two competitors will
be selected from the European region. The successful drivers
from each year will then contest six World Championship rallies
the following season.
Competitors
must be under the age of 27 on 1st January in the year of
the Regional Championship and be permanent residents of a
country within the Asia or Pacific regions. Competitors from
all countries in the region will be eligible, regardless of
registration for the APRC.
Competitors
may use any car that qualifies for the APRC.
On each qualifying
event, eligible drivers will be awarded points for consistency
of speed. Three points will be awarded for each fastest stage
time, two points for second fastest and one point for third
fastest on each stage.
he overall
eligible winner of the Asia event will be named the Pirelli
‘Star Driver’ of the region and will contest six
FIA World Rally Championship events the following season The
project will also provide funding for personal development,
fitness and safety programmes, as well as additional promotional
opportunities.
The Pirelli
‘Star Driver’ scheme is a new initiative and is
in accordance with the FIA’s agreement with Pirelli,
the Italian tyre manufacturer designated by the FIA as the
official tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship.
It provides for the investment of funding in international
rallying.
During 2008
and 2009, ways in which to develop the scheme - including
the opportunity for the most successful Star Driver to be
offered a test drive by a registered WRC team - will be studied. |
