Motorsport Ireland to host FIA Rally Star National Digital Final on December 3rd
Motorsport Ireland is pleased to announce details of its participation in FIA Rally Star. FIA Rally Star is a global talent detection programme organised by the FIA and its clubs and is open to all young people between 17 and 26 years old and there’s a special scheme to encourage female participation. The six best drivers (one per continent) will compete in a Women's Final and the best will win her place in the FIA Rally Star team. The Continental Finals will take place in early 2022 where candidates will be compete against the best from other countries at the wheel of an LifeLive TN5 Cross Car. One driver per continent will be selected to join the FIA Rally Star team. The drivers selected for the Continental Finals will benefit from a full season of training: driving coaching, physical and mental training, testing sessions and participation in six rallies at the wheel of a M-Sport Fiesta Rally3. At the end of the 2022 season, you may be one of the four drivers selected to compete in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship. A season to learn, but also to convince, as three drivers will be selected for a second season in JWRC. This time, you will have to aim for the title to win the ultimate prize: a season in WRC2, with a car from the Rally2 category.
Candidates for Motorsport Ireland’s Rally Star program will be selected for the European Continental Finals by a digital challenge. Details of how to participate in the digital challenge can be found HERE and the supplementary regulations can be viewed HERE. The Irish top 10 from each of the remaining FIA Rally Star WRC9 #RallyAtHome challenges, up to an including Challenge 15, will qualify for the Motorsport Ireland Rally Star National Digital Final which will take place on December 3rd in Mondello Park, in association with Irish sim specialists and FIA Rally Star partners, Digital Motorsports. Due to logistical difficulties, Motorsport Ireland will not be hosting a Rally Star Slalom Final. The European Continental Final will take place in Germany in January 2022.
Commenting on the announcement, Niall Maher of Digital Motorsports said; “Developing young Irish drivers with a clear and concise route from grass-root to top-level Motorsport has always been at the core of our business model and FIA Rally Star is perfectly aligned with that goal. There’s never been anything quite like the Rally Star programme in terms of its scale and accessibility, and I’m looking forward to working with the Motorsport Ireland as we search for the next generation of Irish World Rally Champions.”
Art McCarrick, Motorsport Ireland Sport Executive said; "Rally Star provides a tremendous opportunity for aspiring rally talents, regardless of their background and I've no doubt this process will unearth a few gems. Irish motorsport talent is viewed in high regard across the globe and I'm sure that those selected through this process will be extremely competitive in the continential finals. Digital Motorsports are a valued partner and we would not be able to run a Rally Star National Digital Final without them."