Finnish driver Jarkko Nikara is leading the way in the inaugural Pirelli Star Driver programme. Of the five young talented drivers who won qualifying competitions around the world, it is Nikara’s star that is shining brightest so far.

The Finn, who came into the FIA scheme via the European Shoot-out, was the first of the five to set a fastest time in the Group N category – he did that on the first event in Portugal. Second time out, on the Rally d’Italia Sardegna, Nikara managed to set a top-10 time overall and placed his Lancer on the podium in the showroom standings. And in Greece, the young Finn was consistently inside the top three of the Group N category until being forced out with engine problems.

From the moment Nikara turned on his sensational mix of style, control and speed to wow world rally legends Michèle Mouton and Walter Röhrl at the Shoot-out in Austria last October, he has been a driver on a mission.

“It’s been a very nice start to the programme for me,” said Nikara. “Okay, there have been some small problems with the car, but otherwise it’s very good. Setting some fast times was what I wanted to do, but now I feel I have shown my speed, I would like to make sure I get some finishes.

“This year is very valuable for experience. To have the opportunity to do six rounds of the World Rally Championship is an incredible opportunity and one which we have to be very grateful to the FIA and Pirelli for.”

Nikara’s appreciation of the efforts put in to the World Rally Championship’s inaugural young driver programme is reflected by the significant upturn across all of the FIA Regional Rally Championships in participants chasing the chance of inclusion in the 2010 programme.

Czech Republic driver Martin Semerád is equally appreciative of the opportunity. Just 18 years old when he was selected by the European panel in Austria, Semerád was not even included in the Shoot-out a fortnight before it began.

“It was like a dream,” said Semerád, who is fitting in this year’s programme around his school work. “When I heard my name announced, I couldn’t believe it, but here I am competing on six rounds of the World Championship. Incredible.”

If there was any concern that Semerád might be overawed by the situation, he soon dispelled those sentiments with the fastest time of the Pirelli Star Drivers on the very first test in Portugal. Unfortunately for him, he also became the first of the Pirelli drivers to crash when he went off the road in Portugal.

Semerád, along with all of the Mitsubishis, suffered from a fuel-related misfire on the second event on the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia. The soaring temperatures caused problems for the Lancers, leaving the cars to hiccup their way down the gravel roads. The Ralliart Italy team which runs all five of the cars found a solution to the problem at the end of the opening day, which all-but cured the trouble. But Semerád then had transmission problems in Greece, which too saw him on the sidelines.

Unfortunately for Cypriot Nicos Thomas, winner of the Middle East Pirelli Star Driver competition, a fuel leak ruled him out in Sardinia.

A second day crash had also forced Thomas into an early bath in Portugal, leaving him more determined than ever to get to the end of the remaining four rallies. His bad luck continued in Greece however, when he was withdrawn with engine troubles on Saturday morning.

South African Jon Williams saw the finish in Portugal. Williams was the first driver to secure his position in the 2009 programme and probably the driver who has gambled the most on getting here. Williams has sold his car and house in an effort to give himself the best possible opportunity this year – and he was grateful to get through every one of the Portuguese stages.

“Rallying in Europe is so different to rallying in Africa,” he said. “It’s just vital for me to get as much experience as possible. This is an incredible chance and not one I’m going to waste.”

Williams was delighted to demonstrate a significant hike in his pace from rounds one to two, but unfortunately a clutch problem early in the opening day in Sardinia ended his 100 per cent finishing record. He continued to improve his speed in Greece and eventually finished 19th overall and 8th in Group N.

Mark Tapper is the Pirelli Star Driver who will accrue the most air miles across the spread of his season as the New Zealander will go around the world six times as he travels from his Auckland home to Europe for the events. Not that the Kiwi is complaining. “I just get on the plane and bury my head in a guide book about the country I’m going to and that’s that,” he said. “This is the most amazing opportunity. It’s not one that anybody would ever want to miss out on. And it’s not just the driving. We started our season with training in Edinburgh, Scotland, where we learned from people like former World Champion co-driver Robert Reid. That’s what this year is all about: making the most of a chance in a lifetime.” Tapper was also at the finish of the Acropolis Rally, the New Zealander 21st overall and 10th in Group N after suffering drive-shaft failure on the second day.

From that first snowy training session in Scotland to the bright sunshine of the Pirelli Star Driver launch in Portugal, and the stunning stages in Sardinia and Greece, this inaugural Pirelli Star Driver programme has got off to an exceptional start.