2026 E46 Scholarship FAQs
What is the BMW Race Driver Series Scholarship?
The Scholarship is a fully equipped motorsport experience for the selected recipient, covering the NEXEN Tyre E46 sprint season.
The recipient is selected at our Scholarship Day on Saturday 15th August 2026 at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to those who have not previously raced in the BMW Race Driver Series.
Minimum age is 12–16 with a MotorSport NZ Junior C Grade Licence, or 16 with a current NZ Restricted Driver Licence.
How much does it cost to participate in the Scholarship Day?
A fee of $720 applies. If you application is not accepted, you will be refunded in full. An early-bird fee of $670 applies if paid prior to 1st July 2026.
What is included?
The Scholarship includes use of a race-ready BMW E46 320i, BMW Race Driver Series annual registration, round entry fees (excluding Friday test days), BMW Car Club New Zealand membership, one set of tyres and brakes, mechanical & setup support, driver tuition and data logging insights.
What is excluded?
Excluded items include MotorSport NZ licence fees, race car test days, fuel, extra tyres or brake pads, vehicle transport, travel, accommodation, race apparel, safety equipment, and any repair, penalty, or remedial costs.
Is a bond required?
Yes. The Scholarship Recipient is required to secure a bond of $7,500, held in accordance with the Scholarship Contract.
What safety apparel do I need?
Applicants are recommended to bring their own approved race apparel as follows:
- Single-layer race suit
- Frontal Head Restraint (FHR)
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Fire-resistant shoes
Safety equipment is available for hire on the day from Hampton Downs, but supply is limited. To book, please click here.
Minimum overall requirement is a single-layer suit. Cotton or karting overalls are not accepted. Non-synthetic garments should be worn underneath, along with sturdy closed footwear.
I don’t have a motorsport resume, why do I need this?
We ask for a motorsport résumé to give the interview panel some background and context ahead of the selection day. It doesn't need to be extensive, and if you have little or no motorsport experience, that's perfectly fine. We're simply looking to learn a bit more about you and your journey so far.
What is the format of the day?
There will be familiarisation laps to start off the day in your own road cars. Partipants will then sit in the hot seat of n E46 320i with a race instructor onboard observing; one out lap, two full racing laps, one in lap. The morning driving session will determine which applicants will be selected for the afternoon Top 10 evaluation. In addition, all applicants will participate in the race control room tour, technical sessions on the BMW E46 320i, and hot laps from BMW Race Driver Series competitors.
Top 10 applicants progress to further driver tuition and on-track evaluation, and a panel interview. The day concludes with Scholarship selection and presentation.
Please note that the format of the day may be subject to change.
What does the 2026-2027 season look like?
The BMW Race Driver Series 2026-2027 season is due to start in October at Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon on Labour Weekend. The full 2026-2027 calendar is in the final stages of being confirmed and will be uploaded to our website very soon at www.bmwraceseries.co.nz.
Who can I contact with further questions?
If you have any burning questions about the BMW Race Driver Series Scholarship, please contact us at [email protected]. We're very happy to help with anything we can and will come back to you as quickly as we can.
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