Dutch Student Wins 2009 Bridgestone Journalism Contest

Dutch student Tim Biesbrouck has been selected overall winner of the 2009 Bridgestone e-reporter contest. Biesbrouck, aged 21, was one of eleven finalists this year. He was given the opportunity to show the world, and Bridgestone, his reportage skills at the Hungarian Grand Prix in late July, and his “natural flair for journalism” sufficiently impressed the media and motorsport representatives making up this year’s judging panel.

In order to support a future career in reporting Biesbrouck will receive, as part of the overall winner’s prize package, media tools and work experience at Bridgestone. “My e-reporter journey has exceeded all expectations. I’m delighted to be this year’s winner, particularly when all the finalists have been so impressive. It really is a privilege to have been an e-reporter and to accept this award,” commented the INHolland University student. “If I look back on the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend I can conclude it was a busy one, but I gained so much experience in writing, interviewing and learning about what Bridgestone does at the races. Also the atmosphere was incredible – both within the Bridgestone team and in the GP2 paddock everyone was easy to talk to and fun. It gave me a real insight of what it’s like to be a reporter. I hope I can continue to work in a professional motorsport environment, because it was just fantastic!”

The Bridgestone e-reporter contest is now in its sixth year and the tyre major comments that the level of competition between finalists was tougher than ever. A record number of entries at the beginning of the season meant a host of talented students were in contention to be part of the e-reporter initiative.

Speaking about the competition, Des Collins, vice president of the European Communications Office, Bridgestone Europe, said, “Bridgestone is proud of the e-reporter programme, and most of all what it helps students to achieve. At the heart of the competition, the goal is to provide a stepping stone for young individuals and to assist them in following their desired career path into journalism. This is done by providing learning experiences within motorsport, and sharing Bridgestone’s accessibility and knowledge in Formula One, GP2 and MotoGP with our e-reporter finalists. 

“For 2009, introducing MotoGP to the schedule of events for finalists to attend was an exciting development for the contest and for the first time entries could also be accepted in seven different languages.”