Thaindian News

Chennai, Nov 8 (IANS) India’s multiple karting champion Parth Ghorpade has been chosen to compete for a place on the 2012 FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.

The 18-year old from Kolhapur is one of 30 drivers from 26 countries and the only Indian who will participate in the four-day shootout in Melk, Austria Nov 15-18, according to a press release.

Ghorpade has represented India three times in the Rotax karting championships (twice at junior level and once at senior level).

This year, he has competed in the French F4 Renault 1.6 championship and despite enduring a challenging season, and being restricted by limited testing, he has three times finished in the top 10.

Having learned a number of new tracks this season, including Spa Francorchamps and Circuit Paul Ricard, Ghorpade aims to step up to Formula Renault 2.0 for 2012.

In only its second year, the Academy has expanded its intake to ensure that more drivers from around the world have access to this important safety-focused initiative.

Only 18 of the shortlisted drivers will be chosen to join the Academy programme. To succeed they will have to demonstrate their ability over four days of driving and non-driving assessments, with the selection announced at the end of the last day.

Of the final list of drivers chosen to take part, at least three will be selected from each of the FIA Institute’s five funding areas: North, Central and South America; Western and Northern Europe; Central and Eastern Europe; Middle East and Africa; and Asia and Oceania.

Once again, the selection process and training programme will be led by former Formula One driver and two-time Le Mans winner Alex Wurz and former World Rally Champion co-driver Robert Reid.

Those that succeed will receive a place on the Academy’s fully-funded training programme which aims to help drivers develop their motor sport careers, while increasing safety skills and actively promoting the principles of safety, fairness and responsibility on and off the track.

FIA Institute president Sid Watkins said: “In just 12 months, the Academy has become the most global driver development programme in motor sport.

“We are proud to be able to help these future stars develop their talent both on and off the track, particularly with a focus on safety, and believe this will help them to success at the top level.