Search for racing star hits the track (From Western Telegraph)

Search for racing star hits the track

5:00pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Pembrokeshire sports news

RACERS’ Edge Junior Racing Academy, based in Tenby and operating from the Llandow Racing Circuit near Bridgend, has received backing from Sport Wales to start lucky teenagers on the road to potential motor racing stardom.

The academy’s search for a Welsh racing star hits the track with its first round on Thursday February 16th and is open to any Welsh boy or girl between the ages of 14 and 16 who think they can represent their country in motor racing.

Entries are open now for young drivers with or without racing experience.

The overall prize is to be crowned Junior Welsh Racing Star 2012 plus receive a free race in the Racers’ Edge MG ZR racing saloon with all equipment provided, plus support as they push their career forwards. An extra “early bird” competition will see one boy and one girl of the drivers assessed before March 30th receive FREE training to the value of £2,500 to prepare them for the Grand Final shootout later in the year.

Team principal Tony Brown said: “This is a perfect chance for young racers to get a foot on the motor racing ladder. No previous experience is necessary, and anyone between the ages of 14 and 16 years has as good a chance as anyone else of progressing.”

Drivers will be taught basic driving skills if necessary by a qualified ADI driving instructor behind the wheel of a dual-control car before being individually assessed on-track in the Academy’s race prepared MG ZR saloon car.

The track driving will be overseen by professional racing instructors, trained to get the very best from the future stars. Drivers will also be expected to conduct interviews explaining just why they should be chosen to represent Wales in motor racing. The qualifying rounds of the Search for a Welsh Racing Star cost £125, and youngsters will receive exclusive driving tuition plus at least two sessions behind the wheel of the Racers’ Edge Junior Racing Academy race car. The top drivers will be chosen for their aptitude, attitude and skill and not necessarily their speed which will be assessed in the “Shoot out” at the end of the season.

The first qualifying round is filling up fast, and can be booked by calling Racers’ Edge on 08452 604105 or by going online to the website at www.race at16.co.uk.