BMW signs up Kiwi driver

A rising talent has been selected to race in the internationally renowned BMW Motorsport Juniors Programme with Nick Cassidy – originally from Auckland and now living in Japan – being one of only four drivers invited to take part. A jury consisting of BMW works driver Dirk Adorf, engineers and others in charge of the programme assessed young drivers for driving strength, consistency, understanding of the car, teamwork with engineers, concentration, flexibility, self-assessment and ability to receive feedback. The announcement is particularly timely for Cassidy because it provides another outlet for his racing endeavours. “I will be completing my season in Japan, but am certainly looking forward to the opportunities the BMW Motorsport Juniors programme presents as it is an important step in my career,” says the 21-year-old. “The experience of working with chief instructor Dirk Adorf and racing on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife is an amazing opportunity, and one I’m looking to make the most of this year.” The training programme gets under way with testing in May. In addition to a further test in September, it includes two workshops at the iZone Driver Performance Centre in Silverstone, and three VLN race starts in the BMW M235i Racing. At the end of the year, the most successful junior will be given the opportunity to continue training for a second year in a higher racing category. “This is a remarkable achievement as Nick is the first Kiwi to ever be included in this course,” says Nina Englert, managing director of BMW NZ. “It’s great to have another Kiwi flying the nation’s flag on the world stage and making a statement in the competitive world of motorsport.”