Long time Virgin Australia Supercars Championship driver Lee Holdsworth is set to reprise his role as a mentor and judge with Race Academy International (RAI); the driver talent program he has supported since its inception.
Having recently announced its second search for talented drivers, the next RAI event will be held on Friday, 6 December 2019 at the new look Pheasant Wood Circuit at Marulan, with the confirmation of Holdsworth’s involvement adding further credibility to the grass roots motor sport program.
The Bottle-O Racing Mustang pilot will provide participants with the chance to learn more about the life of a Supercar racer, as well as taking part in media sessions and reviewing in car footage with entrants into some levels the competition.
“To fork out a small amount to take part, and the ultimate prize they can win if they show a bit of talent, is huge” Holdsworth said.
“Even for us, you were always trying to scrape together funds to get to the next category, but they [entrants] have got the opportunity right here, through RAI.”
Race Academy International has already helped unfunded rookie driver Rob Boaden live out his motor racing dream, as he not only learns race craft, but racks up podium after podium in the 2019 BMW E36 Series.
It has also supported Reece Harradine, the winner of its first Clubman division into an endurance drive in the NSW Production Touring Cars Championship Series, and is helping Daniel Smith for the entire 2019 season in the same series.
“We’re really excited about our second event,” RAI director Trevor Mirabito said. “It’s clear from the results of our first event, and the success of our divisional winners, that our formula not only works, but works very well.”
The event offers three tiers of prize categories, Freshman, Clubman and State – with Freshman aimed at those with little to no motor racing experience. The latter two categories cater for those with more experience, looking to step up their involvement in the sport.
This time round the Freshman winner will receive a full test day ahead of the chance to drive in two rounds of the NSW Production Touring Car Championship Series in a Class E production car (in either a Hyundai Excel, Polo GTI or BMW E36).
The winner of the Clubman category will receive a shared practice day plus a minimum of two endurance rounds as the co-driver for the State winner, in the team’s V8 Holden Commodore in the NSW Production Touring Car Championship Series.
Entries are open now for their next event at Pheasant Wood Circuit, Marulan (located just 90 mins south of Sydney). More information on Race Academy International can be found at www.raceacademyinternational.com/programs
