Both Pye (SA) and Erickson (NSW) will step up to the Australian Formula Ford Championship (AFFC) in 2008 and will be joined by current Victorian Formula Ford 1600 champion Jake Chapman (Vic) and AKA Junior Clubman Champion Chaz Mostert (Qld). All four drivers were selected after successfully progressing through the final interview process.

The CAMS Rising Star Program, to be run by the AMSF under licence from CAMS in 2008, aims to identify and fast track the development of young Australian drivers from the junior competition ranks to national and international competition. Each driver will receive significant financial support to contest the AFFC with Program partner Borland Racing Developments. In addition, all drivers will attend the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, have regular and ongoing access to the Program Psychologist, be allocated a high profile business mentor and be provided with access to other AMSF networks.

Current Rising Stars, Pye and Erickson have done an outstanding job in 2007 and both are expected to build upon their strong performances in 2008. Erickson recently completed the NSW Formula Ford 1600 Championship where he finished third overall and first in the rookie standings. Although Pye was only able to run a limited campaign in 2007, he showed amazing pace and won on debut at Round 1 of the NSW Formula Ford 1600 Championship at Wakefield Park.

New recruit Jake Chapman has taken a significant leap forward in 2007, having won the Victorian Formula Ford 1600 Championship, demonstrating tremendous consistency and pace in the process. Mostert, who is currently 15 years of age, is the youngest member of the 2008 squad and will make his circuit racing debut at Round 1 of the 2008 AFFC.

AMSF General Manager, Quentin Crombie is excited about the potential of the 2008 squad.

"These young drivers are undoubtedly stars of the future and I am confident that with the support of the Program, they will emerge as the top drivers in the 2008 AFFC. The key objective for next year is to help accelerate their development before they embark on the next stage of their careers, which for most will be at the international level."

The 2008 CAMS Rising Star Program will also be closely integrated with a new and exciting international program, the details of which will be announced shortly. Meanwhile, all four drivers will turn their attention to a significant testing program before the season commences in March 2008.

The CAMS Rising Star Program would not be possible without the support of our key partners which include the Australian Sports Commission, Borland Racing Developments, Robert Bosch (Australia), the Australian Motor Sport Foundation, OAMPS Insurance Brokers, Mark Webber, Stand 21 Australia and McBadges.