The promotion of young racing drivers has always been important for the continued development and success of New Zealand motorsport. Many of New Zealand’s most successful racing drivers have made their car racing starts in the New Zealand Formula First Championship.
The value of this Championship can be measured by the drivers who have progressed through New Zealand Formula First including;
Scott Dixon- Indy Racing League Champion / Indy 500 Winner
Nick Cassidy -Toyota Racing Series Champion 2012
Shane van Gisbergen – Australian V8 Supercar Driver
Andre Heimgartner – NZ V8 Supertourers / Australian Porsche Carrera Cup
Mitchell Evans –ToyotaRacing Series Champion 2011 / GP3 Driver
We are offering young drivers aged 15 and above an attractive and cost-effective option for the next step of their motorsport career *.
In doing so, we are positioning ourselves between karting and professional motorsport to offer guidance and assistance to promising young drivers to climb the motorsport ladder.
The driver selected for the Driver Development Programme will receive a season contesting the NZ Formula First Championship, wearing a full custom designed nomex race suit with boots, gloves, balaclava and kit bag provided by Vortex Racewear. The opportunity of a test drive in a Toyota Racing Series car is the jewel in the crown of this exciting programme.
With this programme we are making a valuable contribution to ensuring that the careers of talented juniors are on the right track from the very beginning.
A Complete Motorsport Education
The Driver Development Programme is a motorsport training programme offering one talented young driver per year a complete motorsport education, both on and off the track.From theory to intensive test drives and races, the driver will be taught everything needed to transform themselves into competitive racing drivers, over the course of the season the winner of the Driver Development Programme will be introduced to single-seater racing step by step, receiving a complete education on all aspects of motorsport.
The ScorpionRacecars team provide the participants with essential know-how in the areas of car set-up, analysis, technical understanding, fitness, sponsorship and media work. Whether on the track or at special events, the Driver Development Programme participants are always in good hands.
Anyone graduating to the Driver Development Programme will be well prepared for their further career in all areas of professional motorsport.
Participants in the programme can expect comprehensive training, in the following:
Car Set-up
The Formula First chassis allows the drivers to familiarise themselves with the fundamentals of set-up work.
Handling
This section of the programme allows the participants to discover how the racecar reacts in different situations. They familiarise themselves with understeer and oversteer, learn the special demands of driving on a wet track, and are trained to identify the racing line.
Analysis
In modern motorsport, you need more than just natural talent to be quick. The drivers must be able to give their engineers detailed feedback to draw conclusions regarding their driving and car set-up.
Physical and Mental Fitness
Physical and Mental fitness is essential in order to be able to perform at the highest levels over an entire race distance.
Sponsorship Management and Media
In motorsport, the drivers’ behaviour is not only important on the track, but also off it. Here, the driver is given useful tips regarding how to deal with sponsors /partners and how to use the media to their advantage and establish a positive image.
Closing date for the 2013 Development Programme Entry Registration is June 30, 2013.
(The driver selected for the ScorpionRacecars Driver Development Programme 2013 will be announced 31 July 2013)
* There is no charge for drivers to apply for the programme.The driver selected must be able to demonstrate that they can secure the balance of the required budget for a full season of racing.
For more information or to apply, contact us now.
ScorpionRacecars
021 338 773