Dainfern pupil shifts gears
DAINFERN - A Dainfern College pupil, Kelvin van der Linde, has been nominated by Motorsport South Africa to represent his country at the Africa regional training and selection event of the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.
The academy is a project by the world controlling body of motorsport to develop young driver talent worldwide. It offers a fully-funded training programme that helps drivers develop their motorsport careers, while increasing safety skills and actively promoting the principles of safety, fairness and responsibility on and off the track.
“The selection of the 17-year-old Grade 11 pupil was unanimous and followed a rigorous application process in which 25 applicants, between the ages of 17 and 23, were reduced to a shortlist of five. The shortlisted drivers were interviewed by a panel which included multiple former South African motor racing champion and ex-Formula One driver, Ian Scheckter,” said CEO of Motorsport South Africa, Adrian Scholtz.
Scholtz is a member of the selection panel and said, “The panel was unanimous in its decision that Van der Linde would be best placed to represent South Africa at the selection event. We are confident that the maturity, confidence, professionalism and humility demonstrated by Kelvin during his interview, in addition to his unquestionable racing ability, will stand him in good stead in his bid to secure a place in the elite academy.”
Van der Linde said, “Naturally, I’m thrilled and proud to have been chosen by Motorsport South Africa to represent South Africa at this prestigious and important training and selection event. It will make a big difference to my motor racing career if I win a place in the FIA Young Driver Excellence Academy.
“I’d like to thank Motorsport South Africa and the selection panel for putting their trust and confidence in me during the process as well as my family, friends and supporters for their unconditional support in my career so far,” he added.
