The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) is on the search for one young Australian driver who can take on the world.
CAMS will be hosting the Asia Pacific Region Selection Event for the 2013 FIA Institute’s Young Driver Excellence Academy in October with the search starting now for a young Australian driver who will become one of up to 19 from across the Asia Pacific region to converge on Sydney for three days of intensive testing, training and evaluation.
They will be here to stake their claim on the single guaranteed Asia Pacific position available on the FIA Institute’s global Academy.
The selection process for the Academy involves a series of five qualifying events in regions across the world to give as many drivers as possible the opportunity to participate.
Each of the qualifying events produces one winner to go forward to the 2013/14 Young Driver Excellence Academy with a total of eight participants in the final Academy training programme, which aims to help drivers develop their motor sport careers, while increasing safety skills and actively promoting the principles of safety, fairness and responsibility on and off the track.
The Asia Pacific Region Selection Event for the 2013 FIA Institute’s Young Driver Excellence Academy will be hosted by CAMS and will take place at Sydney Motorsport Park on 20-23 October.
CAMS President Andrew Papadopoulos said “CAMS is delighted that the FIA Institute has asked us to organise and run its regional selection event. It is a great tribute to the expertise of staff at CAMS and we look forward to playing a continued role in the identification and development of young talent in our region for many years to come.”
The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club has partnered with CAMS to make the Asia Pacific Selection Event possible in Australia.
The program will be headed by CAMS ambassador and former V8 Supercar driver Cameron McConville who will develop a comprehensive elite program including involvement from the NSW Institute of Sport and recognised motor sport fitness experts.
They will oversee exercises designed to evaluate fitness and driving performance, media techniques, teamwork and psychology.
All Asia Pacific Region National Sports Authorities (ASNs) can nominate one driver each with the single Australian spot to be nominated by CAMS with the applicant having met the minimum criteria set out by the FIA Institute.
A selection panel consisting Geoff Morgan, Chairman, Australian Motor Sports Foundation (AMSF), Neal Bates as the Rally representative and CAMS’ Director of Racing Operations Tim Schenken will determine who of the Australian applicants will be successful.
Drivers aged 17-23 from circuit and rally disciplines, who have demonstrated excellence in competition so far, will be considered.