Motor Sports Association launches Race Elite scheme
The Motor Sports Association has reaffirmed its commitment
to British representation at the highest levels of world motor
sport by announcing its funding of an elite driver training
programme to incorporate all UK racing formulae, whether GTs,
touring cars or single-seaters.
The MSA British Race Elite will be operated by Brabham Performance
Clinic, fronted by one of the world's renowned international
racing drivers, David Brabham, and leading coach and sponsorship
guru, Don Macpherson. The MSA awarded the prestigious three-year
contract to Brabham's operation after extensive discussions
with interested parties and a competitive final tender process.
Building on the success of the on-going MSA British Rally
Elite - launched last year under the direction of former world
rally champion co-driver Robert Reid - the MSA British Race
Elite programme will follow similar principles of driver development.
The MSA British Race Elite will offer the most promising
British racing drivers the opportunity to join the programme
to develop their skills and give them the best possible chance
of making the step up to the highest levels. As well as working
on track performance, engineering skills and technical understanding,
the students will also develop the vital additional areas
such as physical training, mind coaching, career management,
sponsorship generation, promotion and media presentation that
complete the all-round package of the modern motor racing
driver.
The assessment and training elements of the scheme will be
conducted at Bath University under the elite Team Bath banner,
where the drivers will work with the specialist coaches, masseurs,
psychologists and physiotherapists who are used to looking
after Olympic athletes and elite performers in a range of
sporting disciplines.
"Brabham Performance Clinic demonstrated a clear understanding
of what it takes to help a driver reach the pinnacle of world
motor sport," explains Colin Hilton, Chief Executive
of the Motor Sports Association. "We had a number of
first class presentations, but we felt that David and his
team of experts were able to demonstrate a clear vision and
a track record to make this happen. In addition, they will
be able to call on their contacts and credibility in world
motor racing to the benefit of the Elite drivers and that,
as we have seen with Robert Reid on the rally programme, is
absolutely essential.
"As ever, there will be people suggesting that we should
be fully financing the careers of selected drivers. However,
not only do we not have sufficient funds to do so, but the
MSA British Rally Elite has already demonstrated that longer-term
and more lasting impact can be achieved for more candidates
on a fraction of the budget that would be required to run
just one individual for a season. This is definitely the right
path to sustainable success."
"We are thrilled to have this fantastic opportunity,"
says David Brabham. "I've learned a hell of a lot in
the last 23 years and I wish I'd known at the outset what
I know now, particularly in terms of the mental and physical
aspects of the sport. This is something I feel passionately
about and it's a great opportunity to put this knowledge and
experience to work for the benefit of others and give something
back. We will take the best young British drivers, develop
their talent and help them to make the grade at the highest
possible level.
"We have put together a great team of people to cover
the programme's extensive requirements - all of them experts
in their respective fields. I have worked with Don since 1990
and he is not only an amazing mind coach, but also has a demonstrable
track record in sponsorship. We are all looking forward to
getting started."
Applications for entry into the scheme will be opened shortly,
from which a shortlist will be drawn. A selection panel will
then choose up to six candidates that they consider to offer
the best prospects of future success to be the first intake
of the MSA British Race Elite. This process will be achieved
by means of physical and mental assessment as well as analysis
of current levels of performance. It is anticipated that the
announcement of the successful individuals will be made in
early 2007.
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