FIA Rally Star will include an additional five #RallyAtHome Challenges with the aim of further globalising the search for the next generation of talent.
The initial 12 Challenges are now complete, but the winners have come universally from within the European region. For the additional five Challenges, the highest place candidate from every region (North America, South America, Middle East and North Africa, Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe) will win a place in the Continental Finals, providing they are classified in the top 100 finishers in each Challenge.
As an additional incentive Motorsport South Africa is offering one wildcard entry to the National Finals of the FIA Rally Star programme to the male and female driver from South Africa who achieves the highest global ranking over the course of the remaining 5 challenges. This will afford the lucky two the chance to secure a place as one of South Africa’s representatives at the Continental final to be held in South Africa in May 2022 and the chance to go forward into the next phase of FIA Rally Star as a continental or ladies final winner.
#RAH13 runs from October 2-10 with plenty of encouragement for drivers from around the world to get involved.
The remaining four Challenges are scheduled:
- #RAH14 October 16-24;
- #RAH15 November 13-21;
- #RAH16 December 4-12;
- #RAH17 December 18-26.
FIA Rally Star project leader Jérôme Roussel said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest in #RallyAtHome Challenge – it’s been incredible and we have 12 very strong winners. But FIA Rally Star is a global talent search and, clearly, we want candidates encouraged, competing and potentially winning from all regions – this is why the decision has been taken to make this small change to the rules.
“We have seen some really strong competition coming from all around the world and I’m sure the next five Challenges will deliver drivers from all four corners of the earth to their respective FIA Rally Star Continental Finals early next year.
“It’s an exciting development and one we hope all drivers will take full advantage of.”
#RallyAtHome is the online challenge element of the FIA’s Rally Star. Organised and co-ordinated by the FIA, Nacon and KT Racing, publisher and developer of WRC 9, there’s a new #RallyAtHome starting every two weeks. While the competitors will always drive an M-Sport-built Rally Star-liveried Fiesta Rally3 on Pirelli tyres, the stage and the weather conditions they will drive in will be decided by the FIA and WRC9 and kept secret until the challenge opens.
Open to all 17 to 26-year-olds #RallyAtHome Challenge requires competitors to create a free account on fiarallystar.com then purchase FIA Rally Star WRC 9 DLC for €9.99. The choice of how to play the game at home (computer or console) is up to the individual gamer.
For more information go to FIARallystar.com or email fiarallystar@motorsport.co.za
Picture Caption: South African Formula W driver Tasmin Pepper honing her skills at home on her digital racing set-up