at Autosport International

Registration for the recently-announced Junior Rallying scheme, aimed at developing the next generation of British rally talent by training drivers from 14 years of age, will begin at the 2008 Autosport International Show in January. The scheme, which will also officially launch at the show, will hold a series of ‘First Rally Days’ in early 2008 to select the candidates who will then undergo the first of the three phases in the UK, equipping them with the skills to begin actual competition in Phase 2.A series of first rally days has been arranged by the organisers to begin selecting the intake for the first phase of the scheme, to run in 2008. These days will be carried out at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon and not only will the candidates receive driving tuition to gauge their potential, they will also take part in a range of activities, including karting, 4x4 off-roading and a safety demonstration. They and their accompanying adult will also receive a full tour of the Gaydon museum, itself a monument to motoring.The cost of the initial first rally days has been set at £125 excluding VAT, which the organisers feel offers exceptional value, even if the candidates progress no further within the scheme. Registration will take place on the Junior Rallying stand at the 2008 Autosport International show, located at stand 8100 in Hall 8.Also on the stand during the show will be Junior Rallying patron and chief instructor Gwyndaf Evans, as well as organisers Gemma Price and Pete Gladstone of m3motorsport. Two more attendees over the first two of the four-day show will be the inaugural students to take part in Phases 2 and 3 during 2008; Conor Flynn and Tom Cave.14 year-old Conor is the son of Yokohama 205 Challenge organiser Pat Flynn and has grown up with motorsport in his blood. He took part in the Junior class of the 2007 British Rallycross championship and took an event win in the process. For 2008, he has decided to follow his father and co-driving sister Ella into rallying and will be competing in the Latvian RallySprint Championship, Phase 2 of the Junior Rallying programme.Another young face on the Junior Rallying stand at the show will be Tom Cave, the inspiration for the scheme. Tom has already competed in Latvia, aged 15 and in 2008, will be undertaking a full campaign in the Latvian Rally Championship with experienced co-driver Price alongside, as Phase 3.Gwyndaf, Conor and Tom will be on-hand on Thursday and Friday to discuss all aspects of the Junior Rallying program and rallying in Latvia.Another important group visiting the Junior Rallying stand will be a delegation from the Latvian Automobile Federation, the national sporting body working with Junior Rallying to ensure that candidates get the best chance to develop their skills in actual competition. The President and the General Secretary of the LAF and the Chairman of the Rallies Committee will spend two days – Thursday and Friday – at the show, meeting with members of the organising team as well as potential candidates and members of the press, to reinforce the nation’s commitment to the project.Organiser Gemma Price said; “The Autosport International show is without doubt the best place to launch the scheme officially and also, the best place for us to communicate what Junior Rallying is about to its target audience. We are delighted that the delegation from the Latvian Automobile Federation will be joining us for two days, as it clearly demonstrates their support of the scheme.“We’re also very pleased to be able to welcome Conor to Phase 2 of Junior Rallying for 2008. He has already demonstrated incredible skill as a driver and we look forward to helping him further develop his skills to allow him to take that ability and apply it to rallying.“We are also confident that Tom will develop even further as a driver as he takes part in Phase 3, the full Latvian Rally Championship. We know he has the ability to succeed and now, as with any form of motorsport, it’s all about maximising his experience and knowledge so that when he is in a position to continue his career as he graduates from Junior Rallying, he has the key three year’s-worth of head-start.”The Autosport International show takes place at the Birmingham NEC from Thursday 10 January – Sunday 13 January 2008. The Junior Rallying stand is located on number 8100 in Hall 8, directly adjacent to the exit from the famous Live Action Arena.For more information, go to; juniorrallying.co.uk or contact Junior Rallying on +44 (0)121 433 3165