After a stunning debut season in the New Zealand Fiesta Sporting Trophy that ultimately saw him take the series victory, young Kiwi Patrick Malley will get the opportunity to strut his stuff on the world stage at the 2008 Fiesta Sporting Trophy International Shootout.
The Shootout, to be held on December 9 and 10 in England, will test the drivers abilities in all aspects of professional rally driving.
The opening day will see drivers tested both physically and mentally, as well as seeing how well they can handle the media. The second day gives the drivers the chance to show what they can do behind the wheel. The five young drivers who have impressed M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson the most, will then get a second interview before a winner of one of the most exciting opportunities in world rallying will be announced.
The prize for the top scoring individual is a 12 month employment contract with M-Sport, the company who run the BP Abu Dhabi Ford World Rally Team, Stobart Ford and Munchi’s Ford teams in the World Rally Championship. Roles within the team vary from candidate to candidate, however, an opportunity to ‘get an in’ with a World Rally Team comes once in a blue moon.
Last year two Kiwis, Mark Tapper and Kayne Barrie, contested the Shootout, something Malley has in his favour.
“Having Mark and Kayne already ‘break the ice’ is a great benefit to me as know I will be able to take the lessons they learnt the hard way and create solutions prior to the event,” commented the 24 year old.
For Malley, the opportunity to compete overseas is something very special, especially in an event like the Shootout.
“It is an honour to be competing overseas in front of some very influential people, and be given the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the likes of (New Zealand rally legend) Possum Bourne.”
Twenty year old Australian, Brendan Reeves, will also contest the Fiesta International Shooutout. He was awarded a 'wild card' entry into the final after his impressive performances in two rounds of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy in New Zealand this year.
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