MotorSport New Zealand Elite Academy graduate Richie Stanaway has been selected for the first Federation Internationale Automobile (FIA) Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.

The 19-year-old New Zealander was one of 12 international drivers chosen at the selection event in Melk, Austria, earlier this week.

MotorSport NZ president Shayne Harris is delighted with the achievement.

“Richie has done an exceptionally good job; he’s done himself and us proud,” said Harris.

“Late last year, each of the FIA’s National Sporting Associations were asked to select a maximum of two drivers for consideration. Richie’s brilliant 2010 results and his personal growth through the MotorSport New Zealand Elite Academy made him a natural choice.”

“We wish him every success in this exciting new international programme.”

Over the next nine months, the drivers will attend six separate workshops of between three and five days at different locations in Europe, where they will be coached in both driving and human performance aspects of competition.

Richie is a graduate of the MotorSport New Zealand Elite Academy, which is managed by the sport’s Scholarship Trust. The academy has been running for a decade and has produced a stream of top young drivers.

ENDS

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