Six young British racing drivers have received a major boost to their Formula 1 aspirations with a nomination for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, which has previously launched Jenson Button and David Coulthard on their paths to stardom. The identity of the six finalists in motor racing's version of the 'X Factor' is revealed in this week's issue of Autosport magazine.
The six are:
· Sam Bird, 18, from Claygate, Surrey - 2005 Formula BMW UK Vice-Champion· Joey Foster, 22, from Truro, Cornwall - 2005 US Formula Ford 2000 Vice-Champion· James Jakes, 18, from Leeds, Yorkshire - 2005 Formula Renault UK frontrunner· Oliver Jarvis, 21, from Burwell, Cambs - 2005 Formula Renault UK Champion· Duncan Tappy, 21, from West Ewell, Surrey - 2005 UK Formula Ford Festival winner· Joe Tandy, 22, from Pavenham, Beds -2005 Formula Palmer Audi Champion
The annual award carries a prize of £50,000, editorial support from motorsport bible Autosport magazine, membership of the prestigious British Racing Drivers' Club, a test drive in a McLaren F1 car, and the respect and attention of the entire motorsport industry.
Other former winners include Indy Racing League frontrunner Dario Franchitti (1992) and newly-crowned DTM Champion Gary Paffett (1999), and the award has paved the way to a professional race driving career for almost every winner.
BAR-Honda star Button says: "Winning this Award is a real boost for a young driver. It brings you to the attention of everybody in motorsport, including the Formula 1 teams, and presents you with a great opportunity to showcase your talent."
The six finalists, selected by expert judges from a shortlist voted for by Autosport readers, will go to MotorSport Vision's Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk next month for an intensive two-day shoot-out in a 450bhp World Series by Renault single-seater, a front-wheel drive Team Dynamics Halfords Honda Integra British Touring Car, a rear-wheel drive Mercedes DTM touring car, and a Caterham Seven. They will be assessed on their ability to adapt to racing cars that none have previously driven, as well as their technical feedback, raw speed, consistency, attitude and presentation.
The judging panel comprises McLaren's Steve Hallam, Autosport's Marcus Pye, British Racing Drivers' Club secretary Roger Lane-Nott, veteran circuit commentator Ian Titchmarsh, former award winner and sportscar racer Andrew Kirkaldy, BTCC, F3 and A1 Grand Prix team boss Dick Bennetts and MotorSport Vision's Jonathan Palmer.
Palmer, who used to run the driver selection process in the early years of the Award, is delighted that the driver evaluation is being held at Snetterton and that he and MotorSportVision are again involved in this prestigious event.
The winner will be announced at the star-studded Autosport Awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 4th December.
Driver Biographies:
Duncan TappyAge: 21Lives: West Ewell, Surrey2005 UK Formula Ford Vice Champion; Formula Ford Festival Winner2002 Intercontinental A Class Vice Champion2000 Rotax Max Rookie of the Year1999 Formula 6 Karting Southern Champion1997-1999 Formula 6 Karting
Sam BirdAge: 18Lives: Claygate, Surrey2005 Formula BMW UK Vice Champion 2004 Formula BMW UK Scholarship and Rookie Cup winner2003 Intercontinental A Class Karting2002 Junior Intercontinental A Class Karting1997-2001 British and European Formula 6 Karting
Oliver JarvisAge: 21Lives: Burwell, Cambridgeshire2005 Formula Renault UK Champion2002 UK Formula Ford Newcomers Cup runner-up & Winter Series Vice Champion1999 Junior Intercontinental A Class Champion1994-2001: Karting
James JakesAge 18Lives: Leeds, Yorkshire2005 Formula Renault UK frontrunner2003 T-Cars (seven wins); Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy
Joey FosterAge: 22Lives: Truro, Cornwall2005 US Formula Ford 2000 Vice-Champion2004 Formula Ford 1600 King of Kents Champion2003 Formula Ford UK Vice Champion, Formula Ford Festival Winner2001 Formula Ford UK Winter Series winner2000 Formula Ford 1600 Winter Series winner; Formula Vauxhall Vice Champion1995-1999 Karting
Joe TandyAge: 22Lives: Pavenham, Bedfordshire2005 Formula Palmer Audi Champion2004 Mini Se7en Walter Hayes Memorial Champion, TVR Tuscan Challenge2003 Mini Se7en1998 Ministox World Champion and Open Points Champion1996 Ministox East Anglia Champion
Previous winners of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award:
2004 Paul di Resta2003 Alex Lloyd2002 Jamie Green2001 Steven Kane2000 Anthony Davidson1999 Gary Paffett1998 Jenson Button1997 Andrew Kirkaldy1996 Darren Turner1995 Jonny Kane1994 Jamie Davies1993 Ralph Firman1992 Dario Franchitti1991 Oliver Gavin1990 Gareth Rees1989 David Coulthard
