IAM RoadSmart host competition to find the best young drivers

• IAM RoadSmart, member of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA Region 1), has selected two UK finalists to the European Best Young Driver competition for the second year running
 
• As part of the qualifying process the 12 finalists were put through their paces in physical driving challenges at Thruxton Circuit 
 
•The winners now go forward to the final in Teesdorf, Austria in October to compete against young drivers from 11 other countries

The UK’s leading independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has partnered with IMechE Formula Student to find the best two British young drivers to represent their country, after a challenging qualifying experience at Thruxton Circuit.

IAM RoadSmart member Bradley Cross (23) and Formula Student Ben Jude (21), won the UK heats of the FIA Best Young Driver competition and have now advanced to represent the UK at the international finals in Austria later this year.

The competition, which took place on 2^nd August, was designed to select the best all-round young IAM RoadSmart and Formula Student member who demonstrated the most advanced safety knowledge and driving skills to compete against the best qualifiers from across Europe.

Each candidate had to submit clear reasons why they were suitable, pass rigorous Highway Code and motoring knowledge tests and then demonstrate calm, confident, and safe driving during physical driving challenges at Thruxton.

Bradley said:

“I wanted to showcase my driving skills and knowledge. I knew that I had it in me to put up a good fight against the other competitors and to see how far I could really push my driving ability. It was certainly challenging! 

“You could tell that the tasks had been specifically laid out to really test the driving skills of the finalists. You might think, ‘That doesn’t look too tricky’, but when you give it a go you realise just how hard some of the tasks were.”

Ben said:

“The final was an enjoyable day. Everyone’s driving skills were put to the test across multiple different challenges, and I particularly enjoyed the circuit driving and skid pan. Precision, speed, and good car control was needed to succeed. I think my experience gained from both road driving and motorsport helped me tackle the different driving competitions.

“I look forward to competing in Austria against the other national final winners. The facilities there look fantastic and hopefully, the UK event was a good way to prepare for it. “

Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, said:

“Despite the weather, the enthusiasm and excitement at Thruxton was palpable as the 12 finalists were put through their paces.

“Thanks to our great partners, the finalists got to try out a range of exciting vehicles and even experience a few laps of the famous track. Young drivers don’t always get a good press, so it was great to meet some who took such a pride in their driving skills.”