Pirelli to extend Star Driver Scheme

Pirelli has announced the expansion of its Star Driver Scheme, which has previously helped up-and-coming talent such as Elfyn Evans reach the top of world rallying. In a change to the previous on-event selection process, the 2014 MSA British Rally Championship’s Pirelli Star Driver nominations will be awarded to each of the BRC’s five category champions at the end of the season.

The five winners will then present their future competition programmes, plans and ambitions at an assessment day, vying for a share of the Pirelli Star Driver support fund. The prizes will take the form of both funding assistance as well as product support and other career opportunities, tailored to each individual winner.

The change in format gives opportunity to more than just one individual and does not limit the winners’ prizes to just the British Rally Championship. In addition, training and development events are planned for those of last year’s finalists still contesting the BRC in 2014.

Matthew Corby, Pirelli’s motorsport manager, said: “We’re delighted to be able to extend the Pirelli Star Driver prize to more young drivers from 2015. We felt that the current prize, instrumental in providing Elfyn Evans with a lift up the ladder to the WRC, needed to evolve with the needs of the sport, and we wanted to provide yet more opportunities.

“We will continue to work closely with the current championship promoter, providing support and reward to talented drivers at every level of the series. With five young drivers benefitting from Pirelli backing next year, British rallying receives a further boost.”

The reigning British Rally Champion, Jukka Korhonen, is another former Pirelli Star Driver to have shown his international prowess, winning the hotly-contested WRC3 section on the Wales Rally GB last year to underline Pirelli’s emphasis on the future of the sport.

British Rally Championship manager, Mark Taylor added: “Pirelli is a significant championship partner, with substantial investment in the Star Driver programme helping us to realise our aims for the BRC in creating new talent and potential champions. We will continue to work closely with Pirelli, and we look forward to writing the next exciting chapter together.”