HERO-ERA announce 5 finalists for Bob Rutherford Historic Rally Scholarship for Young Navigators
Tough decisions for panel after strong candidate application
5 finalists selected (aged 15 – 20) will be put through a day of tests at Bicester Heritage
The scholarship five are competing to win full training and funding to navigate in four rallies whilst also attending selected Motorsport UK Academy courses. The finalists who will be trying to impress the expert rally panel of Guy Woodcock, Will Rutherford, Andy Pullan, Seren Whyte and Tony Jardine are:
Danielle Pool (15) – From Exmouth. Danielle ran in the course opening car on the Exmouth Memorial Road Rally, helps maintain her and her Dad’s Super 16 Vauxhall Corsa rally car and wants to take navigation to a professional level.
Ralph Bohannon (19) – From Bicester. Just starting out as a professional automotive photographer, he is a standard solo glider pilot. Ralph loves classic cars and aims to be fully embedded in the industry in the future.
Daisy Walker (20) – From Rugby. Loves map reading from childhood holidays. Has grown up with historic motorsport through classic motorcycle manufacturing and racing. Family friend recommended rally navigating, since then, has done several rallies, including LeJog, loves the thrill of classic car navigating with her Dad. Attained Duke of Edinburgh Gold for expedition. Goal for rallying is to win a rally, and to improve rally navigating skills.
Joseph Barnabus (18) – From Grantham. Loves old cars and is excited about developing new skills. Is a member of the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force and successfully completed his bronze air training package, he thinks multi-skilling is an essential skill for a navigator.
Alex Metcalfe (16) – From Prudhoe. Has a lifelong passion for motorsport, has competed in Targa and Autotest events as navigator for his Dad. He has been a marshal on historic and stage rallies and has completed his Chief Scouts Gold Award where he had to navigate on foot. Wants to be involved in navigation and the sport of rallying as a whole in the future.
*Images from Rally for the Ages 2023, by Paul Freeman Photography
The finalists will be competing to receive full training from experts plus attend relevant Motorsport Academy courses. The Bob Rutherford scholarship winner will compete in four HERO-ERA rallies alongside an expert driver and receive all the necessary equipment to help them as young navigators.
HERO-ERA Competition Director Guy Woodcock outlined what the six finalists will face at Bicester Heritage this August as they compete for the special prize in the shoot-out;
Guy; “The scholarship in memory of Bob will allow us as an organisation to keep Bob’s legacy alive by encouraging youngsters to be involved in the sport he loved.
“The day will consist of interviews on their aspirations, a briefing session on navigating, practical sessions navigating around a special test, road sections and regularities in our Arrive and Drive classic cars, how to deal with media requirements and other matters which we feel will assist the successful applicant in moving forward.”
The HERO-ERA Annual Awards Ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London (Feb 2023) provided the launch venue for the announcement of this very special new scheme designed to help bring young talent into historic motor sport. The Bob Rutherford Historic Rally Scholarship for Young Navigators will launch its first winner into the sport in September this year.
Open to a wide range of applicants between 14 and 24 years of age, entries opened on March 1. Whilst the eventual winner will be announced in Sept following the demanding summer selection day, Will Rutherford, co-founder of the scholarship in the name of his father Bob, explained how pleased he was with the level of interest and the calibre of the candidates.
Will; “Having read through all the applications and understanding how eager the young candidates are to learn from this great opportunity has been very pleasing, although it’s made it very difficult for us to come to a decision on our finalists as there have been many deserving of the chance to gain some brilliant experience.
“The broad range of applications have been staggering and we look forward to seeing where this opportunity can take them in the future.”
The shortlisted hopefuls will engage in a shoot-out for the prize on 31st August. The scheme isn’t aimed solely at those already initiated into the world of motorsport, no direct rallying experience is necessary as evidenced by the finalists, but the triumphant applicant will win on aptitude, appetite and enthusiasm.