The 2008 Pirelli Star Driver final held in Cumbria last week gave Yorkshire rally driver Luke Pinder an opportunity to compete against some the best young rally talents in the world.
The scheme aims to provide the winner with a fully supported season in a competitive car in the 2009 British Rally Championship and is widely regarded as the biggest and most prestigious prize in the sport.
“I feel very honoured to have qualified for the final and can’t wait to get started” said Pinder on the eve of the event. Pinder earned his selection on his home rally, the International Rally of Yorkshire, back in September. “Every day since then has been spent preparing for the final. I have undertaken an enhanced physical fitness programme, made sure all the FIA technical regulations are at my fingertips and taken every opportunity to fine tune my driving technique”.
The final was held at M Sport (HQ of the Ford World Championship team) and was designed to pick a winner from the 8 carefully selected participants who were tested in a number of areas including
- pace note making ability
- driving technique in a Subaru Impreza (4 wheel drive) and a Suzuki Swift (front wheel drive)
- overall fitness
- knowledge of technical regulations
Unfortunately for Pinder he suffered a puncture on a front tyre on his “Quick run” in the Suzuki and with the event running late did not get an opportunity to show his ability in the car that would best suit his experience. Nevertheless Pinder was encouraged that his quick run in the Subaru was very much on the pace and many favourable comments were passed by officials and spectators.
Ultimately however it was a huge disappointment for the young Yorkshire man that he did not get an equal opportunity to shine in the 2WD Suzuki. He said “Everything had gone to plan up until the run in the Suzuki, As a front wheel drive specialist I would have expected to be one of the quickest in that car. What is has done though is prove we can be on the pace in a 4wd car at any level and we are currently reviewing our options for next season with one of these being to run a 4wd car on the British Rally Championship”.
