How scholarships work
Championships, teams, manufacturers and sponsors all run scholarships to find new talent. They usually follow the same pattern:
Apply
An online form with your driver's racing CV: results, classes, championships and a bit about them. Some ask for a video or a personal statement.
Shortlist
The best applicants are invited to an assessment day.
Assessment
Usually on-track driving in the series car, plus interviews, fitness tests, media tasks or engineering debriefs.
Final & award
A final shortlist, sometimes a second test, then the winner is announced.
What's usually covered
This varies a lot, and "scholarship" can mean very different things. Some cover a full season. Many are a part-funded season, a discount, or a set of test days. Always find out exactly what's included:
- Is it a fully funded season, or a contribution towards the cost?
- Which costs are still yours: entries, tyres, testing, travel, damage?
- Is there a fee to apply or to attend the assessment?
- Is the winner tied to a particular team or a multi-year deal?
- What's expected in return: media days, sponsor events, social media?
What assessors look for
Speed matters, but it's rarely the only thing. From what we've seen, assessors also look at:
- How quickly you learn. Improvement across the day often counts for more than one fast lap.
- Feedback. Can your driver explain what the car is doing, clearly, to an engineer?
- Attitude. How they treat staff, other drivers, and a bad session.
- Media. Can they talk confidently on camera and represent a sponsor?
- Fitness and preparation. Turning up ready, having studied the circuit and the car.
Tips for applying
- Keep a simple one-page racing CV up to date, with results, photos and links to video.
- Apply early. Many scholarships close months before the season starts.
- Get some car seat time first, like a track day or ARDS course, so the assessment isn't your first time in a car.
- Practise talking to camera. A short vlog or social posts help, and show you can promote a sponsor.
- Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to several.
Scholarships open now
Scholarships currently open to drivers moving up from karting.
Mazda MX-5 Driver Development Scholarship
Run by Rising Stars Racing, supported by the BRSCC
- Series
- 2027 BRSCC Mazda MX-5 SuperCup
- Ages
- Open to drivers from all backgrounds. Under-18s need a parent or guardian's consent
- Prize
- A fully funded 2027 season in a prepared Mazda MX-5 Mk4: entries, tyres, fuel, race suit, mechanic and engineering support, coaching, data analysis and the ARDS test if needed
- Assessment
- Three days at Blyton Park, Lincolnshire. The top 20 go through to the final day
- Closes
- Registration is open now
Built to feel like joining a professional race team. Drivers rotate through circuit driving, simulator and data, engineering, and media and fitness sessions. Coaches include two-time Mazda MX-5 champion Steve Foden and BTCC champions Matt Neal and Colin Turkington. You don't need racing experience, a car or kit: cars, helmets and safety equipment are provided. Everyone who takes part gets a personal Driver Development Report and feedback from the judges.
Questions about this scholarship? Contact Rising Stars Racing directly. It is not run by Karting to Cars.
Apply with Rising Stars Racing →Running a scholarship?
This is the place to put it in front of karting families at the exact moment they're planning the move to cars. See how to list yours.