WRC Academy stars
get training boost

Brendan Reeves, Timo van der Marel, Sepp Wiegand and WRC Academy Cup champion Craig Breen will receive specialist training from ex-Formula One driver Alex Wurz and 2001 world rally champion co-driver Robert Reid during the course of next season through their Test and Training International and Elite Sports Performance organisations respectively.

The training will consist of workshops covering several aspects of driver performance, such as psychology, nutrition and media skills, plus improving their technique behind the wheel and upping their knowledge of safety in an effort to ensure they are ready to compete at the highest level of the WRC in the future.

Breen, who earlier this month won a scholarship of 500,000 Euros for clinching the inaugural WRC Academy Cup crown on Wales Rally GB, was particularly impressive after winning a Race of Champions-style shootout at the Wachau Ring on the final day of the selection process. The Irishman beat Danish racing driver Michael Klitgaard Christensen in the final.

“It has been really good to meet these drivers, who have arrived here from around the world but have all demonstrated the same hunger to succeed,” said Reid. “They’ve been through lots of rigorous testing which has given us a great understanding of what makes them tick. I’m really looking forward to working with the chosen Academy drivers over the next year.”

FIA Institute director general Richard Woods and FIA Institute director of programmes Quentin Crombie joined Reid and Wurz on the judging panel.