Young Formula Ford ace Jamie Conroy has taken the top spot at this year’s Elite Motorsport Academy in Dunedin. The 23 year old from Invercargill rose to the challenge and demonstrated the same skills and strengths which took him to the 2013/14 NZ Formula Ford Championship title.
Eight young men took part in this year’s Academy with the Teams Award being won by “Team Rebound” which Jamie was a member of, plus Drew Donovan (Drift), Ryan Yardley (Formula Ford) and Taylor Cockerton (Formula First).
Run in conjunction with Excellence in Sport South Island and the School of Physical Education at Otago University, the Elite Academy is now in its eleventh year and has had just shy of 100 participants through. Recent graduates of the academy have been WRC rally ace Hayden Paddon, V8 Supercar driver Shane van Gisbergen and rising single seater star James Munro who won the Academy in 2013.
The participants are put through an intense week of physical and mental challenges, plus lessons in team building, nutrition, media skills and sponsorship; all important components in building a successful motorsport career.
Once they leave the academy the training continues with tailored graduates programmes for each which will help them reach their goals within the sport.
MotorSport NZ General Manager Brian Budd commented “once again the Academy didn’t disappoint, the challenges were as great as ever and the eight participants were stretched to their limits.
“I’m sure they surprised themselves with their strengths in various disciplines; the week-long course really does highlight those strengths and gives them something to build on going forward.
“Our congratulations go to Jamie, he demonstrated an impressive dominance through the 2013/14 Formula Ford season, his first season fresh out karting, and for him to now take the Elite Academy shows what a champ he is; a truly deserving winner.”
