FPAUDI: Series and Stars of Tomorrow announce deal

FORMULA PALMER AUDI AND STARS OF TOMORROW ANNOUNCE SCHOLARSHIP DEAL

10,000 GBP prize revealed at the Autosport International Show

Formula Palmer Audi has announced a 10,000 GBP scholarship deal with the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow karting championship in 2009.

An end of season evaluation shootout, contested by round winners from the 2009 Stars of Tomorrow KF2 series, will establish which driver will win the scholarship award. The 10,000 GBP prize can be redeemed against the FPA Autumn Trophy series, testing or the 2010 FPA Championship.

Both series have superb pedigree in providing a training ground for young drivers wishing to pursue a career in motorsport. Indeed, Stars of Tomorrow named Lewis Hamilton as one of its stars in 1996, a full 11 years before he exploded onto the Formula One scene. Formula Palmer Audi has likewise helped to establish the careers of, among others, Justin Wilson, who finished runner-up in the American ChampCar series in 2006 and 2007, and triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx.

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of Formula Palmer Audi organiser MotorSport Vision, said: "The scholarship deal, unveiled at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, represents a significant partnership between top level karting and single seater car racing. With FPA offering its 2009 champion a scholarship prize towards the FIA Formula Two Championship, and with the F2 champion being awarded a test driver with Williams F1, the collaboration between FPA and Stars of Tomorrow establishes a clear and cost effective path for young drivers wishing to progress from karting all the way to Formula One."

Stars of Tomorrow director Carolynn Hoy also hailed the partnership, saying: "It's fantastic to finally realise a championship ambition of having a scholarship deal with a top single seater series like Formula Palmer Audi. Our focus at Stars of Tomorrow has always been on the drivers and their future, and we hope that this partnership can help discover and develop the next young star of British racing."

The 2009 Formula Palmer Audi season will feature 20 races at seven great UK circuits all for a cost of just 55,000 GBP plus VAT. For more information and to arrange a test drive, contact Chris Dredge on +44 (0) 1234 332 439. For details on the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow, visit www.brdcstars.com.

-credit: fpa