Jim Russel School: 2010 Future Driver Search

This is a terrific event and something we will be keeping an eye on very closely. F1B readers/listeners will be familiar with our own Paul Charsley who is a part of the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School but what you may not be familiar with is the new program to identify and promote the terrific driver.

Teaming up with Alan McNish is an incredible opportunity for a young driver to develop their skills and learn from the best. We’re very excited about what is happening at Jim Russell. The programs are incredible and this particular event proves to be a fantastic way for drivers to be discovered. Here is the full press release from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. They say it much better than I.

Sonoma, CA September 16, 2009 – Allan McNish and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School join to announce the 2010 Future Driver Search. Allan McNish will lead the judging panel for the global driver search for young racing talent. The search will culminate in a competition held at Infineon Raceway on December 19 – 22, in which two drivers will each be awarded a full season in the 2010 Jim Russell Championship Series. Applications and information packets are now available at www.jimrussellusa.com.

The Future Driver Search will set out to discover young drivers throughout the world who contain the raw talent and dedication needed to become a modern racing driver. Unlike other programs, the Future Driver Search will judge applicants across multiple disciplines, including karting and track time in the FJR-50. The judging panel, led by Allan McNish, will analyze the driving style and associated skill set of each driver. Drivers will be judged on speed, car control and mechanical knowledge. In addition, off-track attributes will be considered, including character, strategy, media interviews and physical/professional presentation.

“In my career, I was fortunate enough to have been given the guidance and opportunities to show and develop my potential, and today, I strongly feel that there are few things as important as the cultivation of the next generation of young talent,” said Allan McNish. “The Jim Russell programs offer drivers from around the world unrivalled assets, and the tools necessary to take the next step in their racing career.”

The announcement reinforces Emotive and McNish’s dedication to the development of driving skills within the racing community. The four-day competition begins December 19 through 22 at the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School state-of-the-art facility at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma CA. Once selected, the drivers will compete in the full 2010 Jim Russell Championship Series in the Lola FJR-50 Formula 3 based race car. With the Future Driver Search, Jim Russell continues to expand the talent pool for the Jim Russell Championship Series with international drivers.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for a young driver,” said Chip Pankow, president, Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. “The Future Driver Search provides aspiring drivers from around the world the opportunity to be evaluated by Allan McNish and a panel of industry experts, with the two-best drivers being awarded a full season in our 2010 Jim Russell Championship Series.”

For more information about the 2010 Jim Russell Championship Series Future Driver Search, or to download the information packet and application, in the U.S., please call 1-877-229-9855; outside the U.S. dial 1-707-939-2755; or visit www.jimrussellusa.com.

A b o u t A l l a n M c N i s h
Allan has been racing since the age of 11 and progressed up the motorsport ladder until he reached the pinnacle, Formula 1. Having started in karting, he then progressed through the junior formula, Formula 3, Formula 3000 en route to Sportscar racing, Le Mans 24 Hours and F1. He has won Le Mans 24 hours twice, 12 Hours of Sebring three times and Petit Le Mans four times; and is a three-time American Le Mans Series Champion.

A b o u t T h e F J R – 50
Jim Russell Championship Series participants race in the Jim Russell FJR-50, which is one of the most advanced racing cars available. The FJR-50 is purpose-built to be the ideal learning platform for drivers, providing a modern, relevant link between the existing levels of motorsport; with special attention to the transition that young drivers will make from karting to a formula car. The FJR-50 is also fitted with an integrated state of the art Pi Research data acquisition system. Coaches and drivers review driver inputs to help facilitate the most effective evaluation of each driver’s progress. By training and racing in this car, drivers are better prepared for the upper levels of motorsport as the FJR-50 is based on the successful and proven Lola B06-30 championship winning Formula 3 car

A b o u t T h e J i m R u s s e l l C h a m p i o n s h i p S e r i e s
The Jim Russell Championship Series is the official racing series of the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. The series is designed to foster and identify talent from the pool of graduates and competitors. Many drivers use the Jim Russell Championship Series as a launch pad for their careers in professional open wheel and sports car racing throughout the world. http://www.jimrussellusa.com/

So if you are a driver or have an up and coming young driver in the family, this is the time to take advantage of the program. Rumor has it that there is a new American team starting…maybe you could be on their short list. This is the place and program to do it.