The MotorSport New Zealand Scholarship Trust

Brief History
In 1998 MotorSport New Zealand Inc established a Charitable Trust “The Prodrive Trust” and charged it with sourcing funds and managing the prodrive road safety initiative programme along with establishing scholarships for young and talented members of motorsport.

In October / November 2003 the Trust was split into two separate Trusts [The Prodrive Driver Education Trust and The MotorSport New Zealand Scholarship Trust].

On 17th December 2007 Charities Commission formally registered The MotorSport New Zealand Scholarship Trust [also known by MotorSport NZ Scholarship Trust] as a charitable entity.

Governance of the Trust is provided by;
Steven Kennedy - Chairman of Trustees, Brian Budd, Tony Herbert, Bob McMurray, Lyall Williamson as trustees, and Ian Snellgrove contracted as the Trust Manager.

Trust objectives include:
To identify, encourage and foster motorsport talent within New Zealand.

To identify elite competitors and assist with their development.

To establish a Motorsport Technicians apprenticeship scheme that is recognised nationally and internationally.

To administer the Presidents Scholarship programme.

Past projects:
The Bruce McLaren Scholarship
Announced in 2000 this scholarship was established with the aims of providing a package to one of the sports young motor racing achievers that would give both an insight into offshore professional motorsport organisations and broaden horizons.
Recipients:
2001
James Cressey, Auckland
2002
Fabian Coulthard, Auckland
2003
Chris Pither, Palmerston North
2004
Nelson Hartley, Palmerston North
NB No further awards made since 2004, due to the change in emphasis with the establishment of the Elite Academy and Presidents Scholarship.

The Race Technicians Scholarship
Established in 2003 this scholarship was directed at providing either work experience with a race team offshore or an advanced technical education training assistance package to a race technician who was already exhibiting initiative and skills in the New Zealand motor racing fraternity.
Recipients:
2003
Sheldon Currington, Wellington.
2004
Adam Wigg, Auckland
NB No further awards made since 2004 due to the change in emphasis towards the establishment of a Motorsport Technicians apprenticeship programme.

Motorsport Technicians Apprenticeship
Late in 2004 the Trust commenced discussions with MITO (Motor Industry Training Organisation) to facilitate the introduction of a full range of unit standards that would ultimately create a new apprenticeship programme specifically to recognise the wide range of skills needed by those race and rally team personnel striving for excellence in vehicle build and preparation

Current projects:

Elite MotorSport Academy - click here to view

The Presidents Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2006 from an idea to best utilise the skills of world recognised NZ Neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman. Kerry (originally from Hamilton) has achieved International acclaim for his work with top performers (e.g. McLaren F1driver Lewis Hamilton) in gaining ways to develop higher skilled use of the human brain in their sporting endevours. Recipients have one on one tuition with Kerry Spackman learning these skills to enhance their competitive edge.

Recipients:
2006
Fabian Coulthard, Auckland
Daniel Gaunt, Auckland
Shane Van Gisbergen, Auckland.

2007
John MacIntyre, Nelson;
Sam MacNeill, Palmerston North;
Jonny Reid, Auckland;
Kayne Scott, Hamilton:

2008
Jonathan Lester, Taupo;
Jason Richards, Melbourne;
Jonny Reid, Auckland:

2009
Earl Bamber, Wanganui;
Mark Tapper, Auckland;
Hayden Paddon, Geraldine;

Coaching
On behalf of MotorSport NZ the Trust has researched methodology into how coaching can be introduced across the wider motorsport disciplines. A paper on coaching was submitted to MotorSport NZ Executive in November 2008.

Since accepting the main recommendations of that paper the Trust in 2009 ran a pilot Rally Codrivers Collegiate for nine codrivers.

Further announcements will be made later this year.

Trust funding
Seeding capital was provided by MotorSport New Zealand. Since that initial capital influx the Trust has gained funds from MotorSport NZ: SPARC: TAB motorsport betting proceeds; Rally of New Zealand; The MotorSport Company; Drinkrow family: Giltrap Group; Fujitsu General NZ Ltd and the Southern Trust. The Trust continues to seek further funds so it can expand its services.

If you can assist with funds or would like more information on any matters regarding the Trust or potential funding then please

contact the Trust Manager
Ian Snellgrove
29 Fisher Place
Carterton 5713
Ph 06 379 6971 Fax 06 379 6972
Email iwsnellgrove@xtra.co.nz