Driver Applications for 2012 Academy End This Week.

There are now just three days to go for drivers to apply for the next FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.

All eligible young drivers, aged 17 to 23 years old, are encouraged to apply to their National Sporting Authority (ASN) by Friday 9 September to be considered for this global training programme. Each ASN is then responsible for assessing the applications they receive and choosing two candidates to be put forward to the FIA Institute.

The Academy provides opportunities for upcoming drivers to develop the skills they need to progress their motor sport careers and to do so with a focus on safety. The participation and support of every ASN is central to the Academy’s success, ensuring that the most talented and deserving drivers across the world have access to the initiative.

Participants in the inaugural Academy, which began last year, have already reaped the benefits of the programme. New Zealand’s Richie Stanaway, 19, is leading the German F3 Championship with nine wins and has gone on to race for the Lotus ART GP3 team, recently taking victory on his debut at Spa. Holland’s Robin Frijns, 19, is leading the competitive Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 series with three wins out of seven races. Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen, in his first season in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), has taken more stage wins than any other driver so far. And that is not to mention the other nine Academy drivers who are all competing in high level racing and rallying championships.

Now the FIA Institute aims to give even more drivers a chance to benefit from the Academy. This year, 30 candidates will be chosen to go forward to the selection event on 15-18 November 2011 and a final 18 will be selected for the full training programme.

There they will once again benefit from the expert tutelage of Alex Wurz, former Formula One driver and two-time Le Mans winner, alongside Robert Reid, former World Rally Champion.

Click here to access the Academy application form.

Applicants must submit their completed form to their ASN by Friday 9 September 2011.

Click here for further information about the Academy, its curriculum and selection criteria.

Contact: academy@fiainstitute.com

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