Darren Gass, winner of the inaugural Pirelli Star Driver competition unveiled his prize car, a top International spec Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 on the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship stand at the Autosport International Show last Thursday.

The inaugural Pirelli Star driver will be entered on all rounds of the 2008 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, in its striking Pirelli livery it will be maintained by ADR Motorsport as an independent team.

“Its been killing me over Christmas waiting to find out what the Pirelli deal would be”, said an excited Darren, “I am absolutely delighted to find that Pirelli are giving me a brilliant opportunity to progress my career, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 won last years British Rally Championship and it will be a great car in which to progress and learn. I can't wait to get started, I want to do myself and Pirelli’s proud.”

His prize of a fully funded drive in the 2008 BRC was awarded after he and five other finalists were selected, one from each of the six rounds of the 2007 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.

The 19 year-old from near Armagh in Northern Ireland came out on top after a final gruelling two day assessment based at M Sport back in mid December.

“We have deliberated long and hard about what direction to take when Darren won the prize.

The plan was always to make it a logical step and we intend to assist Darren in other key areas in order he has every opportunity to progress through the sport.” said Martin Pallot from Pirelli UK.

All the competitors who register for the 2008 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, irrespective of which class they enter, will be eligible once again for Pirelli Star Driver selection.

Martin Pallot concluded, “We’re all eager to start the new season, I think it is a lot clearer now what Pirelli and the BRC Management team are both offering and trying to achieve with this scheme.

If you are a driver who is serious about his/her career you have to be part of it.

We are already enjoying working with Darren and we look forward to nominating more Pirelli Star Drivers from the BRC events, offering the 2008 winner a Pirelli prize drive in 2009.”