How to become a world rally driver?

[OldF]

There was a commercial thread called ”How to rally” and I thought I’ve would have take an advantage of that thread but it seems to have been deleted.

In “Vauhdin Maailma” (10/2011) was an interesting article how it works in Estonia. In the article it says that the series is for 14-17 year old drivers but in Estonia you can get a drivers licence at a age of 16, so assume that the sprint / rally series is for drivers < 16 years old. It was not mentioned how young drivers can take part in rallies but in the sprints the driver can be very young. For example Kalle Rovanperä (turning 11 this year) drives in the sprint series.

This year there where 4 young drivers from Finland (age of 17, 15, 14 and 10). The 17-year-old boy has been there for 4 years and is next year competing in the junior Finnish championship. Let’s see how it pays off.

This can’t be bad if looking at names of the Estonian drivers that have been driving this series; Ott Tänak, Sander Pärn, Karl Kruuda and Martin Kangur.

In Finland it has been possible for some time for a 16-year-old driver to take part in rally sprint events (you get a drivers licence in Finland at a age of 18). Next year there will also be a rally special series for 16-year-old drivers. The stages are run completely on a closed area, so driver license is not needed.

Would be nice to hear (read) how it works in another countries. As I understand Sebastian Ogier didn’t have any rally experience when he was choose by FFSA for future talent (natural talent).

[Bruce D]

It will be interesting to see how this turns out. In South Africa we had Ashley Haigh-Smith at 16 become the youngest class champion last year in the A5 class. This year he moved to the S1600 class but didn't shine that well and frankly got beaten badly when he did the FIA Academy events at the end of this year. So it's not just about age, but whether they have the right guidance along the way.

Rallying is the one sport where experience and knowledge is key so it's best to start early if you want to be very strong by the age of say 25, but this series for 16-year-olds you speak about should also have a experienced veteran like Ari Vatanen or Markku Allen or someone to give them advice and guide them along.

[Micke_VOC]

In sweden you can drive "Juniors rally" from 16 years of age.
Both in sprints and regular rallies.
Forbidden with pacenotes and the codriver need to be your supervisor for driving practice.
Only cars in the classes : Volvo Original, Grupp E ( Std cars) and N1/N2.

A lot of good drivers have begun with Junior rally, for example Patrik Flodin and Pontus Tidemand.

[OldF]

It will be interesting to see how this turns out. In South Africa we had Ashley Haigh-Smith at 16 become the youngest class champion last year in the A5 class. This year he moved to the S1600 class but didn't shine that well and frankly got beaten badly when he did the FIA Academy events at the end of this year. So it's not just about age, but whether they have the right guidance along the way.

Rallying is the one sport where experience and knowledge is key so it's best to start early if you want to be very strong by the age of say 25, but this series for 16-year-olds you speak about should also have a experienced veteran like Ari Vatanen or Markku Allen or someone to give them advice and guide them along.

In Estonia the juniors have Urmo Aava as a mentor.

[clem126]

Would be nice to hear (read) how it works in another countries. As I understand Sebastian Ogier didn’t have any rally experience when he was choose by FFSA for future talent (natural talent).

In France you cannot compete without your driving licence which you can get at the age of 18. We have a competition called "Rallyes Jeunes" which is held every year on 6 stops around the country to detect young drivers with potential. It used to be run by Peugeot but now it's run by Citroen.
The competition goes like this : on the 6 event (qualifications for the final), you can register to compete for 10€. You have a race in a DS3 (road car, not rallye car) on a parking. The race course consist in a small slalom (4 or 5 turns) then 180 turn with handbrake and again slalom and ending with a braking zone. If you touch a cone, you're out. The best time wins. I dont remember how many competitor qualify on each round but its not much and it usually have more than a thousand competitor registered (on all events). And then you have the final which is the same thing except the race is a 40-45s course (instead of the 18-20s for qualifications)

Thats what Ogier won! When Loeb did it, he ended up second (or third not sure) but there was controversy cause the winner was a friend of organiser or something like that.

Other notable winners : Bryan Bouffier, Alexandre Bengue, Nicolas Bernardi

[Viking]

In sweden you can drive "Juniors rally" from 16 years of age.
Both in sprints and regular rallies.
Forbidden with pacenotes and the codriver need to be your supervisor for driving practice.
Only cars in the classes : Volvo Original, Grupp E ( Std cars) and N1/N2.

A lot of good drivers have begun with Junior rally, for example Patrik Flodin and Pontus Tidemand.

..and Mads Østberg

We have almost the same rules in Norway now, 16 years of age and cars Volvo Original, N1, N2 and N3.
Codriver over 25 and driving the car on transport.

We have only had these rules a couple of years, Steve Røkland maybe first noteable driver who have used it to his advantage.

[OldF]

In France you cannot compete without your driving licence which you can get at the age of 18. We have a competition called "Rallyes Jeunes" which is held every year on 6 stops around the country to detect young drivers with potential. It used to be run by Peugeot but now it's run by Citroen.
The competition goes like this : on the 6 event (qualifications for the final), you can register to compete for 10€. You have a race in a DS3 (road car, not rallye car) on a parking. The race course consist in a small slalom (4 or 5 turns) then 180 turn with handbrake and again slalom and ending with a braking zone. If you touch a cone, you're out. The best time wins. I dont remember how many competitor qualify on each round but its not much and it usually have more than a thousand competitor registered (on all events). And then you have the final which is the same thing except the race is a 40-45s course (instead of the 18-20s for qualifications)

Thats what Ogier won! When Loeb did it, he ended up second (or third not sure) but there was controversy cause the winner was a friend of organiser or something like that.

Other notable winners : Bryan Bouffier, Alexandre Bengue, Nicolas Bernardi

This is a very simple formula but as has been seen it works. I assume no rally driving experience is needed, or….

It’s all about how a driver can handle the car.

[tfp]

In France you cannot compete without your driving licence which you can get at the age of 18. We have a competition called "Rallyes Jeunes" which is held every year on 6 stops around the country to detect young drivers with potential. It used to be run by Peugeot but now it's run by Citroen.
The competition goes like this : on the 6 event (qualifications for the final), you can register to compete for 10€. You have a race in a DS3 (road car, not rallye car) on a parking. The race course consist in a small slalom (4 or 5 turns) then 180 turn with handbrake and again slalom and ending with a braking zone. If you touch a cone, you're out. The best time wins. I dont remember how many competitor qualify on each round but its not much and it usually have more than a thousand competitor registered (on all events). And then you have the final which is the same thing except the race is a 40-45s course (instead of the 18-20s for qualifications)

Thats what Ogier won! When Loeb did it, he ended up second (or third not sure) but there was controversy cause the winner was a friend of organiser or something like that.

Other notable winners : Bryan Bouffier, Alexandre Bengue, Nicolas Bernardi

A very good idea!

[Maui J.]

Start as early as possible (Tiger Woods, the Williams sisters being great examples) and have parents who can afford the sport, and a mentor who know their stuff. Kalle Rovenpara and Oliver Solberg are destined for the WRC. Johnny McRae was probably on the same path.
Natural talent is a head start but starting early then skills can be nurtured.