• Howick and Pakuranga Times
TEENAGE Formula First driver and Saint Kentigern College student Andrew Vincent has topped this year’s MotorSport Elite Academy in Dunedin.
Second overall was William Bamber, a race driver from Wanganui, and third was Stephen Barker, a rally driver from Hamilton. Aaron Hodgson, a former St Kent’s student and Formula First racer, also attended the top-level course.
Organised by the MotorSport Scholarship Trust, the programme is run by sports scientists from the New Zealand Academy of Sport South and Otago University.
“Andrew graduated at the head of a field of nine outstanding young race and rally drivers who spent a gruelling week learning new skills and knowledge that will help them further their competitive careers,” says Shayne Harris, chairman of the trust and president of MotorSport NZ.
All the graduates now move into the second year of the programme.
They receive $2000 for use in implementing their own personal performance plan they’ve developed with mentors. A grant from Sport and Recreation NZ (SPARC) helps fund the second year, as mentors monitor progress.
“For his win Andrew receives additional financial credits from the trust to help extend his programme.
“This is the seventh annual academy and its success is plain for all to see, with young graduates now competing successfully in the world.”
Vincent says the camp was “very tough and mentally challenging”.
“The academy taught me how to do all of the things that you do subconsciously as a driver the right way. It was a great honour to be picked as the top graduate as there have been so many top drivers that have come through the programme such as Shane van Gisbergen, Mitch Evans and Brendan Hartley. It’s a great way to keep the momentum going as we move from our successful Formula First season into the tougher Formula Ford class.”
