Gould Wins Pirelli Star Driver Award

Following two days of hard-fought competition in Cumbria, 21-year old Bristol driver Adam Gould has become the recipient of the Pirelli Star Driver Award. This honour was gained through winning the Pirelli Star Driver Shootout competition, held on December 11 and 12. In order to win, Gould participated in a range of tests that extended beyond his driving prowess; the judging panel also examined the contenders’ fitness, interview presentation skills and knowledge of the sport. Gould finished the weekend ahead of seven other hopefuls, and in addition to the kudos attached to the distinction of winning, Gould’s prize covers a full funding in the 2009 British Rally Championship.

“It’s a really amazing feeling to have won, and this is the biggest opportunity in my career so far,” said Gould, “I want to thank the organisers and Pirelli for giving me this chance, and I intend to repay their faith by making the most of it next year.

“It was a really tough competition, the standard of all the competitors was so high, but I really enjoyed it too,” he added. “Being part of the MSA British Rally Elite scheme has been important in helping me to prepare for this kind of high-pressure competition, and everything I’ve learnt throughout the year has contributed to my success.”

In October Gould was selected for the pan-European Pirelli Star Driver shootout, which took place in Freistadt, Austria. Despite winning every stage he was awarded fifth place in the competition and thus missed the opportunity to compete in the 2009 World Rally Championship.