Rising Stars

Rising Stars Update: 10 November 2010

The Directors of Rally New Zealand have reviewed the Rising Stars driver development programme and decided to put the programme on hold for 2011.

A number of reasons play a role in the Directors making this decision, including the fact that a considerable amount of the organisation's resources are going into securing a round of the World Rally Championship in 2012 and that event's supporting sponsorships.

In 2011, Rally New Zealand will continue to provide some support for up-and-coming drivers and details of this programme will be announced in December 2010.

The Rising Stars driver development programme

Launched at the end of 2008, the three part Rally New Zealand Rising Stars programme includes:

1.   Rally New Zealand Rising Stars Scholarship
For drivers new to NZRC Group N and provides the winner with a support package which includes use of a vehicle to contest the N3 (Group N 2WD) class of the New Zealand Rally Championship. The scholarship is decided at a shootout weekend.

2.   Rally New Zealand Rising Stars Development Award
For drivers currently competing in the N3 (Group N 2WD) category and provides the winner with a support package to contest the N4 (Group N 4WD) class of the New Zealand Rally Championship. The development award is decided via points earned at specified qualifying events in the previous rally season. 

3.   Rally New Zealand Rising Stars International Award
For drivers currently competing in the N4 (Group N 4WD) category and provides the winner with a support package to contest an overseas WRC, APRC or Pirelli Star Driver event. The international award is decided via points earned at specified qualifying events in the previous rally season.

Each of these awards is intended to assist young New Zealand rally drivers to develop their professional and sporting abilities, and include financial support and career-focussed mentoring from acknowledged experts in New Zealand rallying.

Rally New Zealand's Rising Stars have included:

The drivers' blogs from the 2010 Rising Stars programme can be found by clicking on the left-hand menu link.

2010 Rising Stars News

- Rising Star wins entry into international shootout

- Rising Star, Barker, takes 2WD championship

- Rally's Rising Stars set for Wairarapa season finale

- Sweet and sour for Rising Stars at Nelson

- Rising Stars take on Rally Nelson

- Rising Stars master treacherous Whangarei roads

- Rising Stars have plenty to play for at Whangarei

- Rising Stars shine on world stage

- Trio of Rising Stars to take on Rally New Zealand

- Rising Stars, Jagger and Barker, make strong debuts at Otago

- Barker makes Rising Stars debut at Otago

- Jagger steps up to four-wheel drive for 2010

- Rally New Zealand refines Rising Stars driver development programme

- Barker, Jagger and Paddon win Rally NZ’s Rising Stars Awards

- Rally's Rising Stars Scholarship ready for 2010 applicants

- Hunt recommends Rising Stars Scholarship to youngsters

- Entries about to close for Rally's Rising Stars Scholarship

2009 Rising Stars News

- Rally driver development programmes launched

- Rally's rising stars ready for Hawke's Bay

- Rising stars perform at Rally Hawke’s Bay

- Rising stars ready for Rally Otago

- Paddon and Jagger lead Rising Stars Point after Otago

- Paddon and Jagger lead Rising Stars Competitions after Whangarei

- Rally's Rising Stars head for Wairarapa

- Wairarapa Results Change Rally's Rising Stars Standings

- Rally's Rising Stars prepare for Possum Bourne Memorial Rally

- Paddon and Jagger head Rally's Rising Stars Competitions

- Last Rally for Rally's Rising Stars

- Top Drivers through to Rally's Rising Stars Shootout

- Malley and Marston Selected as Rising Stars Wildcards

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