Overview

The AMSF International Rising Star Program was established in 2008 to ensure talented young Australian drivers reach their potential on the international motor sport stage. The aim of the Program is to manage and develop selected Australian drivers participating internationally, aspiring to compete at the pinnacle of their chosen motor sport discipline.

The AMSF International Rising Star Program has been designed to enable the AMSF to play an active role in the development and management of drivers racing internationally. The AMSF is committed to ensuring that the selected drivers experience a smooth transition into a foreign environment and are able to adjust to an overseas life and associated pressures. This includes forming alliances with the leading racing teams in Europe and other locations outside Australia, as well as providing access to leading sports psychologists, physiologists, driver coaches, mentors and other support services. The AMSF International Rising Star Program will also incorporate the allocation of suitable mentors to drivers and early selection of the squad to allow for driver/team contracts to be executed in a timelier manner.

Up to four drivers will be selected for the 2012 Program, and each driver will also receive in addition to the above, significant financial support to help fund their competition.

The AMSF International Rising Star Program has already enjoyed significant success since its debut in 2008 with two of the inaugural participants achieving race victories (James Davison and Tim Blanchard). Since then Scott Pye, 2010 & 2011 recipient won the 2010 British Formula Ford Championship and now competes in the British Formula 3 Championship.

In 2010 Scott was joined by Molly Taylor on the AMSF International Rising Star Program.  Molly Taylor competed as the first female in the Program, as well as the first competitor in the rally discipline; competing in the Citroen Racing Trophy (a category of the British Rally Championship). She is now competing in the WRC academy championship which is the feeder series to the WRC.

The AMSF International Rising Star Program would not be possible without the support from its partners including: the Australian Government and Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Sports Foundation, The AMSF Network Group of donors and AMSF Patron Mark Webber.