MOTORSPORT - Young drivers compete for WRC opportunity

For most, just keeping a rally car on the road while the accelerator foot is pushed hard to the floor would be challenging enough.
But when Kirsty Nelson, the up and coming Whangarei rally driving princess, arrives at the start line of the International Rally of Whangarei next weekend, keeping tabs on her car will simultaneously be her least and most primary concern.
Because Nelson will be racing in her Group N class car, competing for the overall title, trying to gain more points in the national series, while also gunning to win a prestigious rookie spot on the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Nelson is one of just six drivers in the NAC Insurance Hella International Rally of Whangarei who will be trying to win the Pirelli star driver award and its prize of running in six rounds of the World Rally Championship next year.
That is providing the 18-year-old with added impetus to win in an event that will see the best rally drivers in the country and a collection of the most talented drivers in Oceania converge on Whangarei.
Nelson says she's really excited about event. "We'll be looking to push hard for a good result."
But her casual wrap up of her busy weekend belies the pressure she finds herself under. The star driver competition has added that extra edge for Nelson and co-driver Michele Brunt - the only all-female crew entered for Whangarei.
Nelson and Brunt currently hold a top-10 spot on the national rally series.
A good result will not only boost their rankings here, but could open the door for international races as well.
The event in Whangarei is round three of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and round three of the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC).
It is also the first round of the a world-wide search for five rally drivers under the age of 27 (Pirelli star driver award).
Young drivers will be chosen from the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, plus two from Europe.
The top two drivers in the Pirelli award will then receive financial assistance to contest the second qualifying event, Rally Malaysia, to be held in October this year.
The winner in Malaysia will join the other four regional winners to contest the six FIA World Rally Championship events in 2009 as part of a dedicated Pirelli-funded works rally team.
Laurie Brenssell, Rally of Whangarei organising committee chairman, said it was yet another attraction added to the Rally of Whangarei.
"It's the most fantastic opportunity for one of New Zealand's young rally stars to break into the world rally scene," Brenssell said.
The NAC Insurance Hella International Rally of Whangarei takes place from Friday June 6 to Sunday June 8 on various Northland and Kaipara District roads. Rally headquarters will be in Whangarei's Quayside Town Basin.