It could be the plot of a motorsport movie.
Young female driver is picked from thousands by a professional team and given a chance at making the big time.
In Dunedin teen Alyssa Clapperton’s case, it is now her reality after she was chosen by Team Kiwi Racing as its development academy driver.
She will be paired with former champion Craig Baird in the New Zealand V8 Touring Car Championship and will also be given a car to race.
Clapperton (19) has been working three jobs to fund her blossoming circuit racing career.
She started karting at 10 and since then has had her sights on her ultimate ambition of being a professional race car driver.
She described the opportunity with Team Kiwi as ”massive for any driver anywhere in the world”.
”Especially when you look at what TKR has achieved over the years and the drivers they have provided this opportunity to in the past,” Clapperton said.
”Also that every driver they select is guaranteed a drive with TKR, and the fact TKR provide the funding for the chosen driver.”
Clapperton will drive the ex-Baird TL Commodore for the forthcoming seven-round season and will also get support including media training, public speaking, sponsorship, fitness, nutrition and fine-tuning her driving skills.
She said she could never have dreamed of an opportunity like the one she was getting.
”With all TKR drivers before me, right from Jason Richards on, TKR has always provided the race cars, tools, equipment, staff, finances, knowledge and experience, both on and off the race track, at their cost – where most other teams charge the driver a significant fee to take up such an opportunity.”
Having Baird, who has won more championship titles than any other New Zealand driver, as a mentor and team-mate is a boost for Clapperton’s quest to drive at the top level.
”Craig Baird has achieved so much in his career to date, which is why it is such a bonus to have him as my mentor to learn from.
”We can talk things through at a test day or race day in a way only a race car driver can understand.”
Team Kiwi visited 45 venues in 36 days to evaluate New Zealand drivers.
The Dunedin round was busy, and Clapperton needed to get back to work – she holds down positions at Mitre 10 Mega Dunedin, Mitre 10 Mosgiel and Night ‘n Day Green Island – so she drove to Invercargill the following day to do her driving evaluation there.
She was chosen from more than 2000 participants who tried out for the development academy seat.
Clapperton has experience in karting, NZ Super Sixes, 2K Cup, Mainland Muscle Cars, South Island Endurance Series, and the SsangYong Race Series.
Over the next six to 12 months, Team Kiwi will evaluate whether Clapperton has what it takes to make it at V8 Super Tourer level, where Baird will race this season, and in international events like the Porsche Carerra Cup.
Clapperton will keep her three jobs and going to the gym six days a week. Although she knows it is a hard road ahead, she is up for the challenge.
”I am one very determined individual and will be putting absolutely everything I can into this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.
”TKR has put their confidence in me and I now need to show everyone that TKR made the right decision.”
When the New Zealand V8 Touring Car Championship begins in Taupo in October, a proud onlooker will be Clapperton’s father, Ian.
She began her circuit racing career co-driving with him in the South Island Endurance Racing Series several years ago.
”He has always been there to support me.
”We have been around the race track together all my life and he will always be my No1 fan.”
Team principal David John said TKR was not coming from a novelty factor angle by choosing a female driver.
”It’s not a marketing ploy as such,” he said.
”The calibre of people we have got involved is to get results.”
Via Otago Daily Times
WOW have followed her with a bit of intrest and she stacks up quite well, go girl and a good one TKR