Motorsport South Africa (MSA) is delighted to welcome MasterDrive as a training partner in one of the most exciting motorsport programmes on offer in the form of FIA Rally Star, South Africa.
MasterDrive will assist MSA in the safe conduct of a series of slalom challenges to be held around the country from December 2021 to March 2022, and the national final selection event to be held in April 2022.
The slalom challenges will each see the best male and female competitor in each challenge becoming one of the 32 finalists to participate in the national final selection event, at which competitors will be selected to represent South Africa at the Continental Final. South Africa’s participation in this programme, the organisation of the various challenges and the national final has been generously funded by a grant from the FIA Sport Grant programme managed by the FIA.
It is open to all interested individuals who will be at least 17, but not older than 26, on January 1 next year.
The programme also has a specific focus on gender and racial diversity. It offers possibly one of the biggest prizes ever in motorsport, so quite apart from the pleasure of participating in the initial challenges, the potential to take part in the national finals, and for the selected drivers the chance to participate in the Continental Final, the winner of the Continental Final will enjoy participating in an ongoing programme that could kick-start an international rally career.
This would include a training season in 2023 that includes participation in six European rallies, and could extend to participation in the Junior WRC in 2024 and 2025 and ultimately for the winner of the 2025 Junior WRC, a fully funded WRC2 drive in the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship.
Individuals who wish to participate should head to www.fiarallystar.com to find out how they can participate in this exciting event and #BeTheNextOne.
Dates and venues for the individual challenges will be announced on this website and entries to the programme can be made from there. MasterDrive is a result-driven, driver training organisation that engages with and assists companies in managing driver risk interventions.
The company was established in 1999 and became part of the RAC Group, and has expanded its field of operation to cover the African continent with dedicated branches in SA’s four main centres. The company has a dedicated team of professional, internationally accredited instructors who deliver training on a range of programmes.
These encompass the full spectrum of vehicles – from motorbikes and cars to buses and trucks. Adrian Scholtz, the CEO of Motorsport South Africa, said, “I am excited by the prospect of working with MasterDrive on this and other possible future projects. We share a common passion not only for cars and motorcycles, but also for road safety, and this partnership is an ideal way to improve the skills and habits of young drivers.”
MasterDrive has also agreed to reward the 17-year-old winner of MSA’s first digital motorsport championship, the ATK ProSeries, Koketso Pilane, by affording him training towards gaining his driver’s licence and preparing him for participation in the national selection event for FIA Rally Star, where he was awarded a wild card.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, said MasterDrive looks forward to working with MSA in this endeavour. “We support initiatives that promote responsible use of motor vehicles in a dynamic environment.
Additionally, we appreciate the opportunity to foster an interest among younger drivers in a ‘time-honoured’ tradition of coming of age with the acquiring of a licence. It is an opportunity not to be missed. “We would also like to recognise MSA for the role they play in keeping all aspects of motorsport safe. Their decision to choose MasterDrive to fulfil this role in the slalom challenges is but one indication of that. Working together, we hope to keep the passion alive and build motorsport’s reputation by prioritising safety,” said Herbert.
Source: MSA
