The Pirelli Star Driver programme - a joint venture of the tyre manufacturer and international motoring federation, the FIA - pursues to find nationally successful young drivers, who will be given an opportunity to take a major step in their careers. Drivers for this scheme are chosen from regional qualifying contests. One of the qualification events will be held in Jyväskylä this summer.

On these pages you´ll find information about the contestants, media releases and at a later date photos of the competitors and the contest itself.

Fit and presentable rally talent

The outcome of the contest is not determined by the clock alone; instead the winner will be nominated by a panel of stewards consisting of internationally acknowledged rally experts.

The contest begins on 29.7. with a thorough fitness test. This will be followed by interviews, where the contestants´ linguistic aptitude, eloquence and media skills are appraised.

The driving part of the contest takes place on Thursday 30.7. in the vicinity of the Ruuhimäki special stage, which is famous from the WRC event. A stage just under four kilometers of length is to be tackled, comprising both gravel- and asphalt sections.

A ticket to stardom

Five best contestants from the qualifying events will proceed to the European finals, which take place in Austria at the end of October. The best driver from the finals then gets an opportunity to compete in WRC events during 2010, courtesy of Pirelli.

In 2008 the European Pirelli Star Driver contest was won by Jarkko Nikara. That success got this AKK-Motorsport Coaching Team member an entry in six qualifying rounds of this year´s FIA World Rally Championship.