Steel Guiliana is the inaugural recipient of the Forpark Australia Formula 3 Scholarship.
The 20-year-old Electrician from Terrigal, on the New South Wales Central Coast, was on Sunday night awarded a $50,000 scholarship fund towards an outright drive in the 2012 F3 Australian Drivers Championship.
The former Karting champion and Formula BMW Asia racer was awarded the inaugural scholarship at the Australian Formula 3 awards night in Launceston, Tasmania, following the final round of the 2011 championship at Symmons Plains.
Guiliana also won the 2011 F3 National Class title (for older-model cars) as well as the Scholarship prize, that was judged by a diverse panel not just on race and season results, but on an overall basis including general skills, attitude, physical preparation, media skills, technical feedback and more.
“It is an incredible honour to win the Forpark Australia Scholarship,” Guiliana said.
“Having a company like Forpark Australia support young drivers like this is an incredible part of this championship and the reason we raced this season. I am proud to have been selected to receive the award and I can’t wait to challenge for a Gold Star next season to follow up my National Class title this year.
“$50,000 will go a long way to funding our season next year and make things a lot easier as we step up.
“Ben (Gersekowski) and Josh (Burdon) have been fantastic competitors and we have pushed each other hard all season. Before the award was presented I was sure that all three of us had an equal chance to win – so it was a great feeling when my name was read out and I have to congratulate those guys for their season.
“I have to thank the R-Tek team for all their efforts throughout the season and for working with me this season. I have learned so much and progressed as a driver and as a person and I am really looking forward to pursuing my goal of Formula 1 by racing for the Gold Star in Formula 3 next year.”
Driving an R-Tek Motorsport Dallara F304 – Spiess Opel, Guiliana was judged to best exemplify the criteria as a driver with significant potential to progress forward to a professional career in motorsport.
All judges, however, were quick to acknowledge the efforts and seasons by fellow competitors Ben Gersekowski and Josh Burdon to the point where all three drivers filled a majority of the criteria and show excellent future potential.
The award was initiated this year by Forpark Australia, one of the largest manufacturers of commercial and school playground equipment in the country. Forpark Australia and has offices in every state, as well as a growing export market and the catchphrase ‘Helping young Australians grow’.
Guiliana’s season included nine class race victories and two outright third-place finishes, He also finished fourth outright in the F3 Australian Drivers championship.
The F3 Australian Drivers Championship acknowledges and thanks 2011 partners Kumho Tyres, Forpark Australia, ELF (Race Fuels), Performance Friction Brakes and Race Torque Media for their support.
More information can be found at www.formula3.com.au
