AUS: Student award announced

PARKES STUDENT AWARDED 2006 CUP CAR AUSTRALIA SCHOLARSHIP

An 18-year-old automotive student from Parkes in New South Wales is the 2006 recipient of the Cup Car Australia Scholarship presented by the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE.

Joel Jelbart was awarded the scholarship to assist his studies at Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE, Warwick campus, as well as develop his ambition to pursue a career in Australian motorsport.

The annual Cup Car Australia scholarship is for a 1st Year Diploma of Automotive (Motorsports) student at Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE (Warwick) who may not have the opportunities afforded to other students.

Cup Car Australia Pty Ltd is an international motorsport organisation based in South East Queensland that manages the Wright Patton Shakespeare Carrera Cup Australia and also the GT3 Cup Experience.

Five finalists were interviewed by a judging panel for the Scholarship which included Jamey Blaikie -- CEO of Cup Car Australia; Terry Knight - Dealer Principal of Porsche Centre Gold Coast; Paul Cruickshank- Team Principal of Paul Cruickshank Racing; and Stephen Lock - Media & PR Manager for Cup Car Australia.

Joel was awarded with the 2006 Scholarship for his interview presentation skills, technical knowledge and competence, and demonstrating a passion to succeed in Australian motorsport, a developed interest in the area of fabrication, and an exceptional team and work ethic.

From a drought-stricken farm in Parkes, the financial component of the scholarship will assist Joel undertake the final year of his diploma course.

"I am so grateful to receive this scholarship which will help me complete my studies and follow my ambition to work in Australian motorsport," said Jelbart.

"The financial component of the scholarship will really help as my family has battled four years of drought on our family farm, and I've had to work at the local pub doing night shifts on the weekend to support my living expenses.

"I am looking forward to the internship work that the scholarship brings to gain experience in all facets of top level motorsport."

Cup Car Australia CEO Jamey Blaikie said he continued to be impressed by the quality of the Diploma of Motorsport course at SQIT and the number of industry-ready graduates it has put through.

"This year we presented the Cup Car Australia Scholarship to a first year student to fund their second year of studies and provide them with industry work experience to help them pursue their career goals," said Blaikie.

"The scholarship has also been set up to assist a student who may be facing a challenge to complete the course.

"Since our organisation's establishment in 2003, we have been committed to developing the next generation of motor racing talent whether behind the wheel or in the garage.

"All five of this year's finalists showcased ambition, commitment, technical knowledge and a high level of presentation skill."

Next year Joel will receive 2 week's Internship with Paul Cruickshank Racing; 2 week's Internship at the Porsche Centre Gold Coast; and also work with Cup Car Australia at nominated GT3 Cup Experience days in South East Queensland. He will also have his second year SQIT course fees paid for by Cup Car Australia.

The five finalists for the 2006 Cup Car Australia Scholarship were Tim Powell, Victoria Whitley, Martin Frener, Joel Jelbart and Nathan Heck.

-Cup Car Australia