Applications have begun for Silverstone Motorsport Academy's 2007 Racing Driver Scholarship - the winner of which will earn themselves a full season of racing in the 2007 Caterham Superlight Challenge. The Scholarship is Silverstone's way of giving aspiring drivers a start in the sport.
The Scholar will win a 'free' drive for the full 2007 season - featuring six double-header race weekends - driving a Caterham Superlight C400, with full support from the championship winning team Hyperion Motorsport, in the reputable Caterham Superlight Challenge. All this, plus a programme of pre-season official race tests, adds up to a total prize value of more than £30,000.
Silverstone Motorsport Academy's ability for producing race winners is world-renowned. Its former graduates include drivers such as Alan Van de Merwe, the 2003 British F3 champion and former BAR Honda F1 test driver; Ben Clucas, the 2006 Australian F3 Champion; and Dan Clarke, Champ Car world series front runner.
Silverstone's selects its Scholar by asking participants undergo two days of driving, coaching and assessment, with advice and guidance from the UK's top instructors. This rigorous two-day format allows drivers to become familiar with the cars, circuits and activities, providing them with maximum opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in front of the instructors.
Those same instructors will then invite the drivers who display the most potential to return to Silverstone for a final assessment event, where the ultimate decision will be made as to which driver will win the scholarship.
The circuit's boss Richard Phillips said: "Silverstone is always looking at ways to support young drivers and introduce grass roots opportunities in the sport. Silverstone's Motorsport Academy provides a fantastic opportunity for drivers who want to take their first step towards becoming a racing driver, and we look forward to nurturing the talent of the next big names in motorsport."
So who can sign up? Well, as long as you're aged 16 years or over by 1 March 2007 and between 5ft 4ins and 6ft 3ins tall, you can take advantage of this superb opportunity. No race licence is required.
The price for entering the assessment is £1,250, which includes two days of coaching and assessment across ten activity areas, in a range of vehicles that include the Lotus Exige, a single seater race car, the Caterham 7 and the Audi A4 skid car. There is no additional charge for the drivers who are invited back to the final assessment.
There are three chances to enter, with sessions taking place on 16-17 December, 15-16 February and 10-11 March. The last chance to register is 1 March 2007.
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