Max Smart took the spoils during FIA Rally Star’s visit to Africa at the end of May, but now all eyes are set on who will be selected next as the program heads to the Asia-Pacific region.
50 participants will compete in the three-day event, based at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai, India.
The entrants have had to wait a little longer for their chance to prove their talent, with the event taking place just under a month after its original date, which was postponed due to the monsoon season hitting the country.
The field will see almost double the drivers that entered the most recent Rally Star Final in Africa, where Smart bested 27 other competitors.
With such a wide swathe of nations represented in this part of the world, the gem being unearthed could be from one of several countries. Andrew Fraser, President of Motorsport Australia, is feeling optimistic that the next rallying superstar will be from Down Under.
“Motorsport Australia is proud of our own next generation of rally stars who will be representing our country on the international stage, ready to take their next step in their promising rally careers,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to following the progress of the nine Australian drivers at the Asia Pacific Final, and I know all of them will be eager to impress while competing under the Australian flag.”
One candidate who wants to follow in the footsteps of his heroes is 27-year-old Mathew Smith, whose compatriot has made quite the mark on rallying.
“There are so many motorsport heroes I could list but the first one that comes to mind is Hayden Paddon,” he said.
How Rally Star revived a finished career
Romet Jürgenson quit football to go rallying but ran out of money. Then Rally Star came along and changed his life.
“Obviously for his amazing rally results but also for the way he goes about preparation, how he handles himself outside the car, and how he has handled setbacks in his career and continued to push to be at the top of motorsport both competing and now running his NZ team and developing what could be the future of rally with his electric car.”
Rally Star’s Asia Pacific Final will kick off on October 10, with the event ending on October 12.
