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Kiwi duo take on special Malaysian Rally

Michael Young, the only New Zealander competing in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), is set to tackle the incredibly tough Malaysian Rally, based in Johor Bahru against world-class competitors this weekend. The 22-year-old from Opotiki is ready to continue his fight for the overall APRC Championship but says he knows this rally in particular is one of the toughest on the calendar. “There are so many massive challenges in Malaysia but the extreme heat and temperatures in the car are t...

Young takes top spot in Elite Motorsport Academy

Asia Pacific rally star Michael Young has taken the top spot in the 2015 Elite Motorsport Academy run by Motorsport New Zealand. Selected from 40 applicants, eight of New Zealand's most promising motorsport talents attended the seven-day academy based in Dunedin, where they were trained and tested across a wide range of physical and mental skills. Sessions included sponsorship, media management, nutrition and team building - all skills required for high-performance sports. Winning the Academy me...

Standout result for Young in Australia

Michael Young has secured a highly respectable second overall placing at the third round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), held this weekend at the International Rally of Queensland against world-class rivals. As the only New Zealand team competing in the full APRC season, Young and co-driver Malcolm Read were left flying the Kiwi flag in Australia and both say this result means a lot to them. “This rally has just been fantastic,” said a jovial Young, “we have shown we have th...

Australian challenge for Young

Mike Young, Erin Kelly (former-co-driver) and Malcolm Read...

Young selected in Elite Motorsport Academy

Michael Young, the only driver in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) from New Zealand, has been selected for the 2015 Motorsport New Zealand Elite Motorsport Academy running from 29 June until July 4. Eight young motorsport competitors have been selected from across New Zealand, from different backgrounds and motorsport disciplines including Young and co-driver Malcolm Read. The Motorsport New Zealand Elite Motorsport Academy has run for many years and provided young drivers with the ess...

Mike secures podium in final stage battle

Michael Young, the only New Zealand driver in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) managed to secure third overall on his home event at the International Rally of Whangarei held this weekend, after battling with a former APRC champion until the very last stage. The event also marked Mike’s first rally in a turbo four-wheel-drive car, making the podium place extra special for the 22-year-old, as he came to grips with the new Cusco Racing Subaru Impreza GRB while still battling with Gaurav...

Mike debuts new Subaru Impreza GRB

Michael Young, New Zealand’s only Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) competitor, is set to compete in a turbo four-wheel-drive car for the first time at the International Rally of Whangarei, held this weekend in Northland as he looks to replicate last year’s strong championship finish where he finished second overall. Mike (22) will pilot a Cusco Racing prepared Subaru Impreza GRB at his home event, despite never having driven the car before while also celebrating his fourth year driving...

Michael Young invited to compete in WRC with M-Sport

Media Statement - 4 March 2015 Last years APRC (Asia Pacific Rally Championship) Production Cup winner and overall APRC drivers championship runner-up, 22 year old Mike Young from Opotiki in New Zealand, has received an invitation to join the M-Sport run Drive DMACK Ford Fiesta Trophy in the WRC (World Rally Championship) in 2015. Mike says: "To say I'm excited is an understatement, and while we're totally committed to the APRC this year in a Cusco Subaru Impreza, the dates all work so we're scr...

Mike repeats APRC title trifecta

Mike Young, New Zealand’s only competitor in the 2014 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), finished second in the APRC overall drivers’ championship and simultaneously wrapped up the prestigious Production Cup title after finishing third overall at the China Rally, held in Longyou over the weekend. Joined by co-driver Malcolm Read, Mike drove his Cusco Racing Proton to the team’s third title this year after already securing the Junior Cup and Two-wheel-drive Cup following their strong s...

China debut for Young amidst APRC title fight

Kiwi rallying duo, Michael Young and Malcolm Read, are set to tackle the difficult Chinese roads in their pursuit for a third 2014 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) title this weekend at Rally China. The pair, from Opotiki and Hamilton respectively, have never competed in China before but say they’re looking forward to the challenge and are aiming to win the APRC’s Production Cup at the event based around the city of Longyou. Young said: “This is our first time here and it’s a long ...

Michael claims another APRC title in Japan

New Zealand rally driver, Michael Young, managed to wrap up the 2014 two-wheel-drive Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) title plus take the lead in the production cup title at the penultimate APRC round held in Japan over the weekend. Young, joined by co-driver Malcolm Read, said he’s really happy with the result in Japan but adds the final round in China will be incredibly tough as the Kiwi pairing aims to wrap up their third title for the season. “Winning the two-wheel-drive cup here i...

Young aims for APRC trifecta in Japan

The Asia Pacific Rally Championship's (APRC) only New Zealand driver, Michael Young, is chasing down valuable APRC points in Japan this weekend, as he aims to claim three championship titles at the penultimate round in Hokkaido. Young, originally from Opotiki took out three APRC titles last year and speaking from the service park in Obihiro city, said he's working on securing the two-wheel-drive and production cups this year, alongside the junior cup he secured in Malaysia. "It's a bit more abou...

The European Rally scene – way to go?

In the week following Malaysian Rally I had the opportunity to go to WRC Rally Germany to check out the rally scene in Europe. Given the cheap flights out of Singapore and an event where there was 17 WRC cars entered, a similar number of R5's and a big range of supporting classes I was really looking forward to my first visit to Europe in 10 years. Flying into Frankfurt early Tuesday morning I met up with my Dad (Brian Young) who was attending the event as a journalist and after picking a rental...

Kiwi continues strong APRC charge at Malaysia

Michael has taken out the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) Junior Cup title two rounds early in his Cusco Racing Proton Satria Neo in Malaysia over the weekend, along with extending his lead in the two-wheel-drive cup. Originally from Opotiki in Bay of Plenty, Michael finished the rally in eighth place securing the Junior Cup title and putting him fourth in the overall APRC drivers’ championship, along with extending his lead in the two-wheel-drive cup by over 50 points and moving to wit...

Kiwi duo determined to defend Malaysian Rally title

New Zealand rally driver Michael Young is focused on getting another solid result at the fourth round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) in his Cusco Racing Proton Satria Neo at the Malaysian Rally based in Johor Bahru this weekend, after his record breaking win at the same event last year. The 21 year old from Opotiki in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region, became the youngest ever driver to win an APRC round at the Malaysian Rally in 2013 and says while he’ll try to replicate las...

Michael maintains strong championship position

New Zealand rally driver, Michael Young, had a successful weekend at the International Rally of Queensland in Australia, doubling as the third round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), where he stuck to his promise of securing points for his championship campaign. The 21-year-old from Opotiki finished the rally in fifth, securing second in both the Production Cup and Two-wheel-drive Cup categories along with winning the Junior Cup class in his Cusco Racing Proton Satria Neo. Joined by...

Mike determined to stay ahead in Queensland

Kiwi rally driver Michael Young is gearing up to tackle his third International Rally of Queensland, and maintain his strong championship position at the third round of the 2014 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), held this weekend around the Sunshine Coast city of Caloundra. Mike currently sits third in the overall APRC drivers’ championship and he leads the Production Cup, the Two-wheel-drive Cup and the Junior Cup, and says he wants a solid points haul here to keep his lead. “I am now...

Interim moment of glory for Young and Read

When the MRF Skoda team drivers were penalised for delaying the start of SS13 at APRC Rally New Caledonia, Mike and Malcolm Read (co-driver) were briefly declared the winners of the APRC event. The kiwi pair even got to stand on the top step of the podium, but it was place they'd rather have not been ' I'd love to win an APRC round, but not like that - perhaps it will happen one day but I want to win on outright speed! " "It was real shame as Malcolm and I were looking forward to celebrating wit...

Clean sweep for Mike in New Caledonia debut

Kiwi rally driver, Michael Young, had a clean sweep of results during his first visit to the tropical island of New Caledonia, the second round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, finishing third overall moving him to first place in both the two-wheel-drive and production cup classes. After vowing to drive to survive, the New Zealander kept true to his word and brought his Cusco Racing Proton Satria Neo home in one piece with the help of compatriot co-driver Malcolm Read. “It was such a to...

Michael in French territory debut

Michael Young is set to compete in Rally New Caledonia, the second round of the 2014 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) this weekend, for the first time. But while it is the first time driving on the roads around the tropical island, he has visited New Caledonia as a child, and is surrounded by experienced crew who know the country well. “I was only nine years old when I was here last time, and I don’t remember much. Luckily my team have a lot of experience here, like Malcolm Read [co-dr...

Rally Report – How to re-colour your hair!!

Ever wanted a new hair colour without a visit to the hairdressers I have the answer. Recently I was lucky enough to be invited to join the Michael Young Motor Sport team only as the cook but nevertheless the team needs fuel just like the car. So a trip to the APRC Rally of Whangarei was organized, a room booked at the same motel and a trip to the local supermarket for supplies. On arrival a quick call in to rally headquarters where all the action was happening with the preparation of the cars. T...

Solid start for Mike's 2014 APRC campaign

Michael's 2014 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) campaign got off to a great start by scoring a podium place in the two-wheel-drive class, and the Production Cup, on top of gaining valuable drivers’ championship points at the first round held at New Zealand's International Rally of Whangarei over last weekend. As the only registered New Zealander in the APRC, Mike had a big task ahead of him to defend his two-wheel-drive title, especially with the introduction of Australian, Tom Wilde, in...

Mike returns to APRC to defend championship titles in New Zealand

Michael returns to the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) again this year at the championship’s first round, the International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand held this weekend, to defend the three titles he won during 2013 including the Junior Cup title. Mike, the only registered New Zealander competing in the 2014 APRC championship, says while he knows he has a big task ahead of him, especially with Australian driver Tom Wilde also entering the two-wheel-drive class in a Renault Clio R...

Triple 2013 rally champion with Thailand win

New Zealand rally driver, Michael Young, has driven himself to another Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) victory, by securing the championships Asia Cup title, at the Rally of Thailand held over the weekend. The young rally driver, who turned 21 yesterday, stuck to his original game plan of ‘driving to survive’ with Hamilton based co-driver Malcolm Read, which awarded the pair with the prestigious Asia Cup title, after three tough rounds held in Malaysia, Japan and finally Thailand. “...

Young excited for new challenges in Thailand

Young international rally driver, Michael Young, is gearing up for a new challenge this weekend as he sets to tackle Rally Thailand for the first time, which doubles as the last round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship’s (APRC) Asia Cup series, this weekend. Young, piloting his Cusco Toyota Vitz, says while he’ll be competing in Thailand for the first time, he’s confident of a good result despite his lack of experience at the event. “I’m hoping my experience in the APRC, and the Ma...