Rotorua's Sloan Cox is one of 11 drivers in Finland this week at the RX Academy coaching camp, the first step in his goal of building an international career in rally cross.
The 26-year-old two-time New Zealand Junior Rally champion has stepped away from domestic competition, deciding to focus on rally cross - a high-octane blend of rallying and circuit racing run on specially-constructed tarmac and gravel rally cross tracks.
Cox is the first New Zealander to apply and be accepted to the academy, which is the starting point for many rally cross competitors, offering competitors professional coaching in driving, mental and physical fitness, media and PR.
Before he left for Finland, Cox said he was looking forward to "soaking up every scrap of information" he could from the three-day coaching camp.
Ten days later he heads to a one-day test in Strangnas where he will get his first taste of the factory-built Renault Clio RS RX car, which are identical for all academy drivers. The test day will include on-track sessions and coaching, and out of the car Cox will work with academy coaches to analyse data about the car's performance and video footage to see where he can improve.
