Youth into Motorsport Scheme
For too long there has been a gradual decline in youth coming into motorsport, nothing has been done about it on any large scale. I believe that this apathy to promote motorsport as fun to young people who are not already 'in the know', has terribly affected competitor numbers. In the southeast we often struggle for marshals and competitors on events when we should be attracting the biggest fields in the UK. It is not that young people are not interested in motorsport, it is just that they don't know about it. Have a look on the roads of Britain and you will see young guys in their maxed up 205s, Saxos and Novas that desperately try to look like 'real rally cars'. This lot would love proper motorsport if only they were educated in it before Max Power get hold of them. Make them read Motorsport News instead of Redline.‘Youth Into Motorsport’ is a scheme that will be funded by Sport England and any other sponsors who want to get involved. The first running of the series will see 15 - 25 youngsters competing for a place in the shootout style final. We are hoping to have some pretty serious prizes for the top 5 at the end of the mini series; possibilities include prize drives in circuit racing and stage rallying. Different media partners can back different drivers... the series should be covered by Haymarket magazines with some good substantial coverage in non-specialist markets as well. At the moment we are in the planning stages but things will start to firm up in the New Year - Very Provisional Regualtions are available for perusal and if anyone has any comments, questions or suggestions please get in touch with Sam Collins, SDMC press and PR chap (contact in the front of this acorn) or find him on the trade day of the Autosport International at the NEC Birmingham and he'll tell you all about it.
SSC