Conway Takes Part In 'Young Driver' Award Assessment

Sevenoaks motor racing driver Mike Conway has made his bid for this year's prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award by taking part in the contest's annual assessment days at Silverstone this week.

The assessment days are shrouded in secrecy and, although Conway was not allowed to say anything about the test, the usual format of the days involves driving a British Formula 3 car, a DTM Mercedes and a British Touring Car.

The six finalists are then judged on speed, technique, mental attitude, fitness and the way they adapted to the different cars.

Conway now has to play the waiting game until Sunday, December 5, when the winner is revealed at a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London.

The winner of the award gets the chance to test a state-of-the-art McLaren Formula 1 car, as well as a substantial cash prize. Although the amount of this year's prize has not yet been decided, last year's winner Alex Lloyd received £75,000.

The award is one of the most important in junior motorsport in the UK. It has been won in the past by current McLaren F1 ace David Coulthard, Le Mans winner Guy Smith and newly-crowned European Formula 3 champion Jamie Green.

Only six drivers, all aged under 23, are picked as finalists for the award each year and to be selected marks Conway out as a true star of the future. The Kent racing ace dominated this year's Formula Renault UK Championship, sealing the title with four races still to run, and taking eight race wins on the way.

Media contact: Andy Bothwell 07944 651166