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2008 CAMS Junior Driver Development Program squad announced

James Rodda- PW

Following a flood of nominations from all disciplines of motor sport, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Ltd (CAMS) has announced the CAMS Junior Driver Development Program squad members for 2008.

Five of Australia's most promising young motor sport competitors have been selected to attend a specialist training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) later this month.

The program has been specifically designed by CAMS to develop young drivers at the grass roots level of motor sport. Applicants had to meet specific assessment criteria including demonstration of solid results over the past 12 months, and the ability and desire to pursue an international motor sport career.

Participants will undergo professional media training and one-on-one psychology sessions during their stay in Canberra, however much of the program is focussed around developing skills and techniques to assist the up and coming drivers both in and out of the car.

“We aim to provide the drivers with an indication of where they are at physically, the physiological aspects that are placed under the most stress while driving, and how they can condition themselves to better prepare and handle these stresses,” said Dale Chapman, Supervising Senior Physiologist for all forms of Motorsport Physiological testing at the AIS.

“We have been involved with the preparation and development of these athletes since 2001 and during this time we have had 300 various attendees from motor sport and an equivalent number from motorcycling.”

The volume and quality of applicants for the 2008 program was remarkable and despite some difficult decisions during the selection process, CAMS is confident that the selected applicants are all young competitors that will benefit hugely from the Junior Driver Development Program.

The 2008 CAMS Junior Driver Development Program consists of the following squad members:

• Rhys Newman - Super Karts/Sprint Karts
• James Rodda - Rally
• Sean Whitfield - Super Karts
• Rhys Howell - Hillclimb/Sprints/Motokhana/Autocross & Khanacross
• Patrick Hall - Rally/Khanacross & Motorkhana

CAMS President Colin Osborne expressed his support for the program saying, “it provides an invaluable experience for up and coming drivers to take the next step in their motor sport career.

“The attention competitors receive at the AIS in terms of addressing every aspect of their performance is not only beneficial for their development, but also serves as a reward for their hard work and achievement over the past 12 months.”

The intensive three-day camp will take place at the AIS in Canberra from August 25 – 27, 2008.

CAMS would like to thank the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport for their support of the program in 2008.