Superdrive Motorsports Centre near Portadown, County Armagh has launched an all new junior rally driving programme for young people from age 13 to 17 years using a rally prepared Vauxhall Nova. This programme is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and is designed to teach driving and basic rally competition skills to young people who are not of road driving age.
Gift vouchers for the course are available to buy now for Christmas at special introductory price of £89.00 per session. The programme will be £99.00 per session from 1st January 2009.
Superdrive’s Centre Manager Safron Thomas said,
‘Our team is very excited about introducing the Junior Rally Driving Programme to young people in Ireland. The Motorsports Association (MSA) already allows young people with the appropriate MSA licence from age 14 to compete in rally cross and mini cross events.
‘We see our Junior Rally Programme as both an avenue to learn the basics of driving and ultimately a training ground for young people who want to get into motorsport, particularly rally driving.
‘Superdrive provides a safe and controlled learning environment for young people to gain driving experience and then progressing on to rally competition skills.’ She said.
Superdrive’s Managing Director Brendan Crealey said,
‘This young driver initiative also has an important road safety benefit. Young drivers can come to our centre and learn basic car control skills that will be very beneficial to them when they eventually get on the road.
‘We believe the programme will help to save lives on our roads among the 17-25 year old age group.’ He said.
The Car
The dedicated Junior Rally car is a rally prepared 1200cc Vauxhall Nova with FIA approved racing seats and harnesses, roll cage, full communication system and essential motorsport accessories.
The Programme
No previous driving experience is required to take part in the rally programme. There are two levels in the Junior Rally Programme; Level One – Junior Driving Essentials and Level Two- Advanced Junior Driving
Every session includes a classroom based safety and instructional briefing from the Superdrive rally instructors and all drivers will be provided with a rally suit and motorsport helmet including helmet-to-helmet intercoms for in car instructions.
Level One – Junior Driving Essentials drivers will focus on the basics of driving a car progressing on to basic rally skills.
Level Two- Advanced Junior Driving drivers will focus on honing their rally driving skills and learning competition techniques.
Further Advancement
When a driver has completed Level Two – Advanced Junior Driving, regardless of age, they will be entitled to take part in the Superdrive adult Rally Experience Courses in the Ford MKII Escort RS2000, the rear-wheel-drive Ford Focus Zetec or the Mitsubishi Evo IV or book One-to-One tuition with one of Superdrive’s experienced instructors.
Superdrive’s professional team can give support and advice on how drivers can further their rallying career through Superdrive and beyond.
Superdrive is the only Rally School in Ireland that is recognised by the governing body of Motorsports in the UK, the Motorsports Association (MSA) and also the British Association of Rally Schools (BARS).