Grand Prix chance for reality show winner
A new Pop Idol style TV show will give one lucky winner the chance to become a top racing car driver, it emerged today.
Formula One team Jordan has reportedly agreed to take part in the fly-on-the-wall series which is expected to launch next year.
The company behind the project are due to announce full details in the next six weeks but claim to have had strong interest from rival TV channels.
A panel of judges will assess contestants for a range of abilities and whittle them down to a shortlist.
The winner will earn a three-year contract with Jordan which could see them race in a Grand Prix in the 2007 season.
Victoria Slater, co-founder of Slater Herd which has devised the project, said the show would be open to contestants of both sexes, regardless of whether they had any previous racing experience.
“We are not just looking at driving ability – we are looking for the raw talent that is essential to succeed in this sport,” she said.
“We want to throw this open to as many people as possible to find the right person with the mix of quality needed.
“The show will be an blend of sport, entertainment and racing and we think it will be a big hit.”
Trade magazine Marketing said Robin Herd, ex-boss of F1 racing team March Engineering which scored its biggest successes in the early 1970s, was also behind the project.
