Pirelli confirms details of annual Star Driver shootout

Italian tyre firm Pirelli has confirmed details of its annual Pirelli Star Driver UK shootout: a yearly initiative run by Pirelli which supports one up-and-coming rally driver in their quest to become an international rally star. The shootout will take place from 21-22 October, two days after the British Rally Championship’s season-closing Rallye Sunseeker International.

The Pirelli Star Driver Scheme has been running since 2008 and each year it aims to support one driver as they take to the wheel of a fully-funded car for the duration of a British Rally Championship season. 
Previous winners include reigning WRC Academy champion Elfyn Evans and flying Finn Jukka Korhonen, who is on track to securing the 2013 British Rally Championship title.

Focusing on the lower categories and providing a leg up the ladder, Pirelli Star Driver selections this year came exclusively from the new BRC Rally Two and Junior Rally Championships. A panel of judges selected one finalist from each round of the six-round series, as they now all prepare to go head-to-head at the famous end of season shootout.

During the two-day shootout, the finalists will be assessed on their abilities to drive the car they used to compete on this year’s BRC on a two-mile stage at Sweet Lamb: the same complex that is used as a special stage on the FIA World Rally Championship. The drivers will also be tested on their driving skills, media awareness, event strategy, technical ability and future potential.

This year’s Pirelli Star Driver nominations include Jon Armstrong, Ruary MacLeod, Steve Rokland, Daniel McKenna and Alex Parpottas. The sixth finalist will be announced following next weekend’s Rallye Sunseeker International.

A panel of four judges including World Rally Championship co-driver Chris Patterson, South African motoring journalist Evan Rothman, British Rally Championship Managing Director Mark Taylor and Finland’s Risto Laine will assess the finalists.

Pirelli UK Motorsport Operations Manager Matthew Corby commented: "Last year’s shootout proved to be extremely competitive and I don’t expect this year to be any different as we have some extremely talented drivers taking part. We have always been particularly keen to help new drivers entering the BRC to progress, so this season we focused our nominations on those competing in Rally Two and the Junior rally championships. Pirelli is committed to British rallying – our famous Star Driver programme has already helped six drivers, including last year’s Star Driver Jukka Korhonen, who has gone on to excel in this year’s championship. I am confident that whoever wins this year’s shootout has the capability of winning British – and possibly international – titles in the future.”


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