The top  African Rally Champion below the age of 27 stands a chance of competing in the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), courtesy of Pirelli.

According to the ARC website, Pirelli, one of FIA’s key partners will sponsor this driver to up to six rounds of the 2009 WRC as part of the company’s support to all FIA regional rallies this year.

The beneficiaries who will race either the S2000 or the Group N formula for the six rounds include the two top drivers from the European championship, one from the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa.

Pirelli, who are also the sole tyre suppliers for the WRC are also said to have sunk over 6.5 million Euros in the Young Rally Drivers development fund in a bid to help nurture talented drivers aged 27 and below.

The ARC has credited the move saying that it will unlock the fervour of countless African drivers longing to have a go at WRC events.

"It will unlock the fervour of countless African drivers longing to have a go at WRC events and we might even produce a talent who could rise in the world of rallying," the website quoted Surinder Thatthi from the Confederation of African Countries in Motor Sports (CACMS).

Although the deal between FIA and Pirelli is yet to be finalised, a panel of two FIA officials and two from Pirelli have already been assigned to visit various manufacturers to provide five cars in the Group N or S2000 formula for the five lucky drivers.

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