SCHOLARSHIP WIN WILL SEE TOP KARTER GRADUATE TO CARS THIS SEASON

Top New Zealand karter Nick Cassidy will graduate to cars this summer courtesy of SpeedSport magazine's annual 'Star of Tomorrow' Scholarship.

Each season the winner of the annual Scholarship - now in its eighth year - earns an all-expenses-paid drive in the New Zealand Formula First Championship, and over the weekend 13-year-old Westlake Boys High School Year 9 student Cassidy fought off seven other hopefuls from around New Zealand to be that driver.

Commenting on the weekend's proceedings SpeedSport magazine publisher Grant McDonald said that competition this year was as tough - if not tougher - than ever, with Cassidy pushed all the way by fellow karter David Meszaros, 17, from Tokoroa.

"Nicholas was the dominant figure in his sessions but in saying that it was exceptionally close this year. David really stepped up to the plate and it was really only towards the very end of the proceedings that Nicholas edged ahead."

In the eight years since it was launched the SpeedSport Scholarship, which is run by Sabre Motorsport of Palmerston North, has unearthed some exceptional talent including Stone Brothers Racing's fast-rising young V8 Supercar star Shane van Gisbergen.

After winning the Scholarship in 2004 the young Auckland driver went on to win the New Zealand Formula Ford title in 2006, and make his V8 Supercar series debut in 2007.

Joining eventual winner Cassidy and runner-up Meszaros in the final eight this year were Champ Macdonald, 20, from Hamilton, Jamie Gaskin, 13, and Andre Vanderdungen, 18, both from Wellington, and Rex Edwards, 16, John van Bommel, 15 and Ryan Belworthy, 15, from the Bay of Plenty.

The finalists were judged on their performance on and off the track and before the final announcement each driver met with the judging panel to discuss their performances..