Box Autos

Performance car brand Abarth is calling all would-be track stars, after launching Make It Your Race, the novice racing driver programme, for the second consecutive year.

The televised challenge, the only social talent show dedicated to rookie drivers, officially launches with a Europe-wide call to find aspiring racers from across 10 countries, including the UK. Last year the series attracted more than 30,000 applicants from six countries, and this year it’s expected to be even bigger as Make It Your Race opens up to look for Designers, Bloggers and Paddock Girls.

Starting with on-line Internet applications, participants can progress through a number of qualification stages until finally four  successful candidates per country are invited to a ‘Boot Camp’ which will be held in Italy and from here seven finalists will be selected.

These seven finalists will go on to race each other in a showdown final which will take place as part of the Trofeo Abarth race series. The race will provide them with the opportunity to drive the legendary Monza circuit in Italy.

It’s a long journey from application to final race but the temptation is strong and the opportunity to prove their talents will be well rewarded – a new Abarth 500 is the prize on offer for the top performer.  The initial registration process runs up until 15 July 2013.

“This was a hugely successful European programme last year which was well-supported by rookie drivers from the UK,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth UK. “As it’s based around social media – initial applications come via the Internet – we’re sure MIYR will help to further increase Abarth’s thriving fan base.

“Even people who don’t want to take part in the events will be able to follow the fortunes of the drivers that are in it. And you can’t argue with the chance to race at Monza and perhaps drive away in a new Abarth 500 too.”

This year MIYR includes other competition strands to complement the driving contest: Design (design the livery of the UK racing car), Storytelling (become the series’ official blogger), Paddock Girl (be an official member of the grid crew) and, for the Abarth dealer network, Mechanics (become a MIYR mechanic in the pit lane of Monza).

Abarth’s current line up comprises of the racy Abarth 500, stylish open-top Abarth 500C, high-performance 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione versions, the sporting Abarth Punto Evo and Abarth Punto Evo Supersport.  Prices range from £14,205 OTR for the Abarth 500 to £20,705.00 OTR for the Abarth 595C Competizione.