The drivers selected for this year’s NSW Rising Stars have been announced with the cream of the up and coming talent in New South Wales competing over a series of heats run throughout the state. The drivers will gather at the offices of HRNSW on Monday June 20 before competing in a ten heat series at Young, Bathurst, Penrith, Newcastle and Tabcorp Park Menangle.
The competing drivers are:
| Ellen Rixon | Metropolitan |
| Martelle Maguire | Metropolitan |
| Ellen Bartley | South West & Riverina |
| Jason Grimson | South West & Riverina |
| Mitch Turnbull | Western Districts |
| Tom Pay | Western Districts |
| James Harding | Hunter |
| Brad Elder | Hunter |
| Tom Ison | North West |
| STILL TO BE ANNOUNCED | Western Australia |
The NSW Rising Stars selection criteria can be read in full by clicking here.
It is important to note that to be eligible for the series drivers must be under the age of 23 prior to the start of the racing season, can’t compete in more than two series unless returning as the defending champion and must have driven less than 100 winners at the start of the current season.
The Rising Stars gives junior drivers from all parts of the state the chance to spend a week together building friendships while enjoying the competition on the track. As a group they will meet with the Chairman Of Stewards Graham Loch for an information session and will also undertake some media training with Media Manager Greg Hayes.
The Rising Stars will also get the opportunity to attend a game of football and will be attending the second day of the HRNSW Conference on Saturday June 25 before competing at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Alabar Breeders Challenge Day the following day.
HRNSW CEO John Dumesny congratulated all of the selected drivers and wished them the best of luck.
“When you look back at this series over the years, so many of our top drivers in New South Wales competed in this series at some stage,” Dumesny said.
“It also gives these young drivers a chance to meet one another and build friendships that will last a lifetime, a lot of planning goes into the Rising Stars series and I am sure they will enjoy all of the activities that have been scheduled.
“I would like to make special mention of Jack Trainor, last year’s Rising Stars winner, who has decided to relinquish his spot this year to allow another driver to compete. Jack has competed in 2014 and 2015 and would like to see another junior driver given the opportunity to compete in this series in his place.”
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