Some of the country's most talented motorsport drivers have been put through their paces over the past week at the New Zealand Elite Motorsport Academy in Dunedin.
The week-long camp held at the Otago Academy of Sport is the first part of a world-renowned 12-month development program.
Motorsport NZ president Deborah Day said the camp not only prepares top junior drivers for the big stage, but also the world.
"Being able to drive a car and having natural talent is one thing, but here we aim to stretch that and push them even further," she said.
One of eight selected for the class of 2024 was 16-year-old Jacob Begg. He said a lot of athletes were planning to head overseas in the next year to chase their ambitions.
"We're going to be living by ourselves, so it's really important to be able to cook and look after ourselves."
The drivers learn a range of skills at this camp, including nutrition, cooking and fitness. They also prepare for the elements with simulator work in the heat chamber – set to 42C.
Academy trustee David Turner said the modern driver must to be able to excel off of the track as well.
"We need to get back to the grass root days of maybe the Bruce McLarens, the Denny Hulmes and Paul Radisichs where you lived out of the back of your trailer.
"Eliminate the pampering and get back to the hardening up that will make a better-rounded person."
He said the class of 2024 had "ones to watch".
"Out of this eight here, there's definitely a couple we will see in the headlines in the next three or four years."
Previous graduates of the academy include Hayden Paddon, Earl Bamber, Brendon Hartley, Emma Gilmour and Shane van Gisbergen.
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