Media release: on behalf of Fiesta Sporting Trophy
For immediate release: Monday 26th November 2007.
Tapper and Barrie in shootout.
Aucklander’s Mark Tapper and Kayne Barrie will get the best opportunity in their respective careers to date with both
drivers given the opportunity to contest the Fiesta Sporting Trophy International shootout in early December.
For both men, the opportunity to contest the shootout was due to their performances in the New Zealand Ford Fiesta
Sporting Trophy series. Tapper won his spot in the shootout after winning the series by a mere one point over Barrie,
who was selected as a ‘wild-card’ entry by the series organizers. Barrie narrowly edged out Invercargill’s Chris Lange
for the position.
The shootout will take place on the 3rd and 4th of December in and around MSport’s base in Cockermouth, England. The
first day will see the contestants from various Fiesta Sporting Trophy series around the world tested mentally,
physically and in front of the media, as well as getting a guided tour of M-Sport’s facilities.
The second day for the contestants is their chance to prove their ability behind the wheel, with a two pass recce to
write pace notes and then three passes over the stage in Greystoke forest. The best two runs will give the stage time
that will be added to the mental, physical and media tests to decide a top five. The top five will then be interviewed
by M-Sport boss and the man behind the Fiesta Sporting Trophy concept, Malcolm Wilson.
The winner will receive a 12 month employment contract with M-Sport.
Included in the contract are a one bedroom apartment at the M-Sport base, the use of a car, regular weekly sessions with
M-Sport’s personal trainer. The winner will also be able to travel to all European WRC rounds with the BP Ford world
rally team as part of a weather crew, test parts and do shakedown runs. The prize also gives the winner the opportunity
to represent the BP Ford World Rally Team at press conferences and will drive at the teams PR days.
ENDS