Australian Brendan Reeves, has won a place in the prestigious WRC Rally Academy in 2011 after an impressive performance at the Pirelli Star Driver Shootout in Spain. Reeves prize includes a fully-funded drive in six rounds of the 2011 WRC Rally Academy, a new series which will replace the Junior World Rally Championship next year and aims to produce the stars of the future.
The global Pirelli Star Driver Shootout saw 16 young drivers from around the world come together to compete for six places in the Academy. After earning his nomination from the Asia Pacific region where he produced some excellent results this season, Reeves showed why he is a star in the making, putting in impressive performances in the driving tests and excelling in the media presentations at the Shootout.
After three intensive days of lectures, driving tests on both gravel and tarmac stages, and media presentations, Reeves was the first driver to be selected to join the inaugural WRC Rally Academy.
Still coming to terms with his win, Reeves said, “This is a dream come true for me. I would really like to thank Pirelli and the FIA for giving junior drivers the opportunity to compete for such a fantastic prize. There is nothing else like it in rallying and for them to give young drivers like myself the chance to become a WRC driver, is awesome.”
“I’m still pinching myself but I realise that the hard work hasn’t even started yet.” Reeve’s qualification ensures there’s a driver from the FIA Asia- Pacific Rally Championship in PSD for the third successive season.
FIA World Rally Championship Commission president Morrie Chandler said: “This is the first time we have held a ‘global’ shoot-out. The camaraderie between the crews from various parts of the world was great to see and created a good competitive environment. I am sure all the participants learned from the experience.”
Pirelli motorsport manager Mario Isola added: “It’s really exciting to see the next year of Pirelli Star Drivers coming through. Once again, I think we have found some real talent. Having drivers coming from across the world for the shoot-out has made this a very interesting event for us.
“Pirelli is proud to have backed the FIA’s young driver development initiative and we are delighted to see this continue into next season, maintaining Pirelli’s presence in the FIA World Rally Championship and furthering our rich history at the pinnacle of world rallying.”
Source: Team Release and Autosport.com
