Ford Performance Racing has launched a new young driver development program under the Prodrive Racing Australia Academy banner.
The team says the academy aims to “find the next Chaz Mostert” for the V8 Supercars outfit, which has won the last two Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000s.
The academy has been introduced with two foundation drivers, 14-year-old New Zealander Caleb Cross and 16-year-old Bryce Fullwood, who hails from the Northern Territory.
According to FPR, it will assist the duo “in developing all facets of being a modern racing driver”.
This will include “developing technical and engineering knowledge, managing all elements of human performance as well as commercial and media training.”
The use of the Prodrive branding separates the academy from the V8 Supercars team’s current Ford-based identity, potentially foreshadowing a wholesale name change for the outfit.
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FPR co-owners Rod Nash and Rusty French purchased the Prodrive Racing Australia name and associated logo when it bought the team from the David Richards-run British engineering firm two years ago.
FPR has been gradually phasing Prodrive branding into its activities over recent months and refers to team principal Tim Edwards as Prodrive Racing (Australia) CEO in a statement announcing the academy.
“The creation of the Prodrive Racing (Australia) Academy will help our team identify talent for the long term and the Academy really formalises the process Chaz has just come through over the last three seasons,” explained Edwards.
“We’ve worked closely with Chaz since 2011 and that has culminated with him becoming a full-time factory driver and now a Bathurst winner.
“We’re now working with Cameron Waters in the Dunlop Series, but to ensure we have the next group of stars coming through, we’ve launched the PRA Academy.
“Caleb Cross and Bryce Fullwood have come to our attention as young stars of the future so we’re endorsing their racing careers so they can benefit from the broad resources of our business and its racing team.
“Caleb and Bryce will receive an insight into the inner-workings of our team, which will assist their career development and help guide them through the ranks.”
Cross is currently preparing for his debut in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship this weekend while Fullwood will race in Spain’s Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals later in the month.
Both will carry PRA Academy branding on their race vehicles, race suits and helmets.
Fullwood, whose 2015 racing program is yet to be determined, was earlier this year given an introduction to V8 Supercars by FPR endurance co-driver Paul Morris.
Edwards adds that the PRA Academy will assist selected young drivers in a step-by-step progression towards V8 Supercars.
“The aim is that we will guide Caleb and Bryce through the junior categories with a view to a V8 Supercars testing program with us and hopefully if they, and the other drivers we choose to support, have what it takes they will one day race for us in the Dunlop Series and then the main game,” he said.
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