Aspiring Formula One driver Dean Smith has started the new motorsport year in fine style before even turning a wheel after receiving yet another prestigious accolade – the Wolverhampton racer named by the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) as one of its 2010 ‘Superstars’.
Dean, who celebrates his 22nd birthday today, Monday, 22nd March, has been invited onto the BRDC Superstars programme following a truly outstanding year in 2009. Winning the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship for the Manor Competition team, his season was capped off superbly by winning the biggest prize in British motorsport – the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
Entering its third year, the ‘Superstars’ initiative has proven very beneficial to the young drivers who have been involved and Dean’s invitation to be one of just 13 incumbents this year is an indication of the high regard in which he is held within the UK motorsport establishment.
As a BRDC Superstar this year, Wombourne-based Dean will receive key advice and assistance from the club with all aspects of professional motorsport – from physical and mental training to career guidance, sponsorship advice and media and marketing support.
“It’s a fantastic honour to have been invited by the BRDC onto the Superstars scheme and I aim to repay the club’s faith in me with another successful season on-track this year”, said the Kiddisave backed racer, “Last year couldn’t have been any better for us, it really was an incredible season.
“Winning the Formula Renault UK title having missed the first couple of races was fantastic and to then be named the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award Winner was the icing on the cake. Becoming a BRDC Superstar is another tremendous accolade and I’d like to thank Tim Harvey (BRDC Superstars director) and the rest of the club for their support which can only be beneficial for my career.”
Although no official announcement has yet been made regarding Dean’s championship of choice for 2010, details on this are expected within the next week or so as he strives to continue his rise up the single-seater ladder towards the FIA Formula One World Championship.
One of the strongest options appears to be the FIA Formula 2 Championship which carries with it a prize for the 2010 champion of a Formula One test drive with the AT&T Williams F1 Team. Dean tested an F2 car last December at Portimao in Portugal and immediately impressed with consistent, front-running pace throughout the two-day run.
