The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is inviting young British co-drivers to apply for a limited number of places on the new MSA Academy junior co-driver programme.

Nicky Grist, the former World Rally Championship co-driver best known for his successful partnership with the late Colin McRae, was brought into the MSA Academy fold in 2011 to oversee the development of co-drivers on the Team UK national squad. In an addition to that programme, he will this year mentor a further group of promising navigators, who will be selected following an open application process.

Grist said: “Our aim is to develop a junior group of navigators who will then be well placed to progress up to Team UK when the current national squad co-drivers graduate from the programme. They will have a number of training sessions with me throughout the year, and of course I’ll be at the end of the phone if ever they need any advice during the coming season.”

Applicants should be aged 21 or under on 1 January 2012 and should ideally:

• Hold a minimum of a National "A" licence• Have completed a season in a national championship• Have competed on both a national forest and tarmac event• Have a confirmed season competing in a national championship for 2012

Those interested should request an application form MSA Academy Co-Ordinator Greg Symes via greg.symes@msauk.org. Applications close on 29 February 2012.