CHINA has called on one of Australia's top rally drivers to give mainlanders a crash-course in competition driving to enable them to compete in the Zhuhai international motor race next month.
The 16 drivers selected from the 30 who are undertaking the novel but somewhat daring exercise will also be making history - they will become the first mainland Chinese racing car drivers.
But young Tasmanian rally ace Ed Ordynski has been given a herculean assignment to virtually start from scratch with the mega-rookie mainlanders, several of whom have spent very little time in a car - let alone driven one.
While your average motor racing drivers take years to develop their skills, Ed's platoon of hopefuls have been given just 10 days to gear themselves for gasoline alley glory.
Although it is not known if Ordynski is secretly feeding his squad a 'go fast' potion of kangaroo bile and platypus blood, the Australian national Group-N rally champion says he has been impressed by their enthusiasm and performance.
'It's a unique exercise - I don't think this has happened anywhere else in the world,' Ordynski said last night from his headquarters in Kings Meadows, Tasmania.
'The Zhuhai event will also be the first time mainland Chinese drivers have taken part in a motor race.' He said the applicants 'all knew how to operate cars, but other than that, they were beginners'. A few had regular driving experience, some had none but all of them were knowledgeable about international motor sport.