It was announced this morning that the 2019 VMB Scholarships are now open to new applicants. For over 20 years the World Speed Motorsports Rising Star Award has provided a test to young racers looking to move up the open-wheel racing ladder. Starting in the 2014 season, the Rising Star Award added a new component, a significant scholarship into the FormulaSPEED Championship provided by VMB Driver Development.
The VMB FormulaSPEED Scholarship:
The entry point to the program will again be a test of, between three and six drivers in FormulaSPEED race cars. World Speed Motorsports will accept online applications for this test starting on November 16th and closing on December 15th (see eligibility guidelines and entry information below). From those applications, Rising Star Award winners will be selected to participate in the test. Each of the drivers at the test will be scored on driving ability, technical feedback, and communication with the WSM/VMB team members. Staff from World Speed Motorsports will discuss the merits of each driver, and provide a complete report on all drivers to VMB Driver Development. VMB will then select the scholarship award winner to pilot the VMB Academy FormulaSPEED for the 2019 season.
Eligibility Guidelines for the Rising Star Award:
- Ages 14 – 24
- Raced in fewer than 3 races in the Formula Car Challenge
- Raced in fewer than 3 races in Pro Mazda Championship, or similar level of open wheel competition
- Currently licensed in SCCA, NASA, FIA, SKUSA, or similar or racing in racing school series
Getting Considered for the Test: Eligible drivers must enter by December 15th.
(There are no fees in order to be considered for this program)
More information about VMB, and links to apply are available at: www.worldspeed.com/vmb
Since 2014 VMB/WSM Rising Star Award Winning Drivers Have:
- Been invited to the Mazda Road to Indy Shootout
(Jonathan Sugianto, Carter Williams, Courtney Crone) - Been selected as candidates for the Team USA Scholarship
(Carter Williams, Colin Mullan, Courtney Crone) - Been selected as recipients in the Team USA Scholarship (Colin Mullan)
- Won in International FIA F3 Competition (2014 VMB Champion Jaden Conwright)
Some of the past WSM Rising Star Award winners have included:
- Scott Speed – F1, NASCAR, Global Rallycross
- Joey Hand – Ford and BMW Factory Driver, 24 Hours of Daytona & 12 Hour of Sebring winner
- Sage Karam – 2013 Indy Lights Champion
- Joel Miller – Team USA, 2013 Grand Am Rolex GX vice-champion, Mazda Factory Driver
- Cole Whitt – NASCAR
- Michael Self – NASCAR
- Conor Daly – Pro Mazda Champion, Team USA, Indy Lights, IndyCar, GP3
- Neil Alberico – 2015 Pro Mazda Championship vice-champion, 2016 Indy Lights, Team USA