Nine Drivers Selected for 2009 Elite MotorSport Academy

Nine talented young racing and rally drivers will attend the week-long MotorSport Elite Academy in Dunedin in July.

“There was intense competition for the available spaces with 30 candidates seeking nine positions,” said Steven Kennedy, chairman of the MotorSport NZ Scholarship Trust; which organises and funds the Academy.

“Everyone can see the success of drivers who have graduated from the Academy and recognise how important it has been to their development.

“The programme, which is run for the Trust by the New Zealand Academy of Sport South and Otago University’s sports science specialists, focuses on a wide range of skills required for high-performance sport. Participants have to have a very high standard of physical fitness prior to commencing the course.

“The scientists have recognised that the level of fitness of the young drivers we have put through the academy has been the equal of Olympic athletes and their reaction times have been equal to or better than those of fighter pilots.

“The Academy is a tough, demanding programme both physically and mentally. Its benefit shows in the performance of many young Kiwi drivers both at home and overseas,” he said.

This year’s Academy class will comprise six race drivers and three rally drivers:

Nicholas Cassidy (Auckland), winner of the Speedsport Scholarship, who finished second in Formula First in his first season’s racing.

Simon and Mitch Evans (Auckland), brothers who both contested the Formula Ford championship. After a second place in the championship, Mitch also shone in the Formula Ford events at the Australian Grand Prix.

Ben Jagger (Whangarei) currently competing in the 2WD NZ Rally Championship in a Ford Fiesta and already achieving good results.

Damon Leitch (Invercargill), who has contested two seasons in Formula Ford with good results.

Joshua Marston (Christchurch), currently competing in the NZ Rally Championship in a Lancer Evo 8.

Jamie McNee (Wellington) just completed his second season in Formula Ford after a successful karting career.

Mathew Penrose (Rangiora) another successful karter who contested the Formula Ford championship in 2008/09.

Martin Short (Auckland) former NZ kart champion contesting the Formula Ford championship.