Eight drivers selected for 2015 Elite MotorSport Academy

Eight drivers selected for 2015 Elite MotorSport Academy

Eight of New Zealand’s most promising motorsport talents have been given the chance to further hone their skills at the 2015 Elite MotorSport Academy in Dunedin.

Run by the MotorSport NZ Scholarship Trust, in conjunction with Excellence in Sport South Island and Otago University’s sports science specialists, the programme is now in its 12th year. MotorSport New Zealand President Shayne Harris said the programme has a very strong track record in equipping young Kiwi drivers for competition against some of the world’s best.

“We are very proud of our academy programme,” said Mr Harris. “We’ve been able to help guide several of our most successful drivers onto the international stage, including GP2 contenders Mitch Evans and Richie Stanaway, and rising World Rally Championship star Hayden Paddon.”

Held over a week in July, the academy will test the applicants both physically and mentally. The programme focuses on a wide range of skills required for high-performance sport – from diet to media training – and participants must meet a very high standard of physical fitness prior to commencing the course.

“Sports scientists report that the reflexes and fitness of some of the drivers who have attended the academy are equivalent to those of Olympic athletes, and their reaction times are equal to or better than those of fighter pilots,” said Mr Harris.

Before they return home, all of the graduates are given an individually tailored 24-month programme to help continue their development.

The most promising graduate will be awarded the Ian Snellgrove Memorial Trophy. Snellgrove, who passed away in 2012, was a driving force behind the academy’s establishment.

2015 Elite MotorSport Academy Successful Applicants

Race Category

Sam Barry (Waipukurau), NZV8 Utes

Sam Barry of Central Hawke’s Bay has come a long way since finishing third in the 2013 Suzuki Swift Cup. In his second year competing in the NZV8 Utes Series, the 21-year-old holds a 22-point lead after three rounds. The six-round competition resumes on 25 September in Taupo, with the final round at Hampton Downs on 27 November.

Caleb Cross (Christchurch), Formula Ford

With five junior national karting titles to his name, Christchurch’s Caleb Cross has a promising motorsport future ahead of him. In his first season competing in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, the 14-year-old finished third and was in title contention through to the final round.

His dream of racing in the V8 Supercar Championship got a big boost at the end of last year. Prodrive Racing Australia, owners of the Ford Performance Racing team, signed him on as a foundation member of its academy. As part of the programme, Cross will attend events in Australia to learn what happens on race day.

Chelsea Herbert (Auckland), NZ Rotax Max Challenge

Chelsea Herbert isn’t afraid to mix it up with the lads. Having raced since the age of seven, the 16-year-old from Albany received the 2014/2015 SsangYong Racing Series ‘Brave Face’ award, after a crash during Round 4 forced her to withdraw with concussion.

Recognised as a talented young prospect, she was invited to the 2014 CRC Speedshow as part of the Kiwi Young Guns display, which also featured Mitch Evans and Scott McLaughlin. She is also part of Hyundai New Zealand’s Pinnacle Programme, which provides mentorship to help talented young Kiwis in various fields realise their potential.

Bradley Lathrope (Auckland), NZV8 TL Touring Cars

Bradley Lathrope finished third in this year’s NZV8 TL Touring Cars Championship. One of New Zealand’s elite tin-top racers, Lathrope has appeared on national race podiums 34 times.

Brook Reeve (Blenheim), Formula First

A former national junior karting champion, Reeve joined an illustrious group last year when he was awarded the 2014 SpeedSport Scholarship. Previous recipients include GP2 driver Richie Stanaway and V8 Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen.

The scholarship provides an all-expenses paid season competing in Formula First, an entry-level class of single-seater, open-wheel racing. Reeve finished fifth overall and was named Rookie of the Year.

Rally Category

Nicole Summerfield (Rangiora), New Zealand Rally Championship

Co-driving for her younger brother Matt in the NZRC might sound like a recipe for disaster to some siblings, but this pair’s results speak for themselves.

They finished fourth overall in last year’s championship, with 25-year-old Nicole third in the co-drivers’ standings. After two rounds this year, they sit in third place and are just 23 points off top spot.

Michael Young (Opotiki), Asia Pacific Rally Championship

After dominating APRC’s 2WD class for the past two years, this season Michael Young is contesting the title outright in a 4WD. In 2013 and 2014, Young won the Asia, Junior and 2WD Cups.

Earlier this year, the 22-year-old was invited by Ford’s WRC M-Sport team to take part in Drive DMACK Ford Fiesta Trophy, which is run over five WRC rounds in Europe. While funding proved to be an obstacle, it’s a strong endorsement of the Opotiki young-gun’s talent. He’ll be joined in Dunedin by his co-driver Malcom Read.

Malcolm Read (Hamilton), Asia Pacific Rally Championship

Malcom Read won’t be surrounded by strangers at the academy: he’ll be joined by his pilot Michael Young. Read has played a key part in Young’s success in the APRC and this year the pair are launching an assault on the outright title.

They won the Asia, Junior and 2WD Cups in 2014 and are currently fourth overall after the first two rounds of this year’s competition.

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