CAMS reveals 2017 Rising Star quartet

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) has named the quartet of drivers for the relaunched CAMS Foundation Rising Star program.

Formula 4 driver Simon Fallon alongside last year’s Australian Formula 3 National Class champion Cameron Shields have been selected as the progam’s elite drivers, while Zane Morse and Ryan Suhle will assume the two spots designated for karting graduates.

The four drivers will receive a $50,000 scholarship loan from the CAMS Foundation to put together a racing programme to compete in the Australian Formula 4 Championship.

The initiative returns for the first time since 2013 with the aim of supporting aspiring young drivers in pursuing a career in the sport both nationally and overseas.

In the past the CAMS Foundation has supported a host of talents rise through the ranks, including Daniel Ricciardo, Will Power, James Courtney, Will Davison, Scott Pye, Matthew Brabham and Jack Le Brocq.

The quartet of rising stars have indicated potential in the early stages of their careers.

Fallon won the rookie of the year award in F4 last year scoring a maiden race win at the Gold Coast.

Likewise, Shields is the youngest ever F3 National Class champion at 15 years of age, while Suhle has lifted the 2015 Australian KF3 Kart Championship, before going onto represent Australia in the CIK-FIA World Cup.

Morse has shown promise in karting having won four state titles and back-to-back national J-Max championships in 2014 and 2015.

CAMS Foundation director Mark Skaife is looking forward to seeing the quartet progress this season with the aid of the Rising Star Program.

“We were thrilled at the quality of candidates applying to be part of the next-generation CAMS Foundation Rising Stars platform,” said Skaife.

“We believe that our four selected race drivers are unquestionably talented, and it is with great anticipation that we look forward to working with them to improve them ­- both in and out of the car.”