TWO county starlets are set to be boosted by the inaugural Scottish Motor Sports Academy.

Enduro rider Stuart Mack, who is from North Berwick, is included in the academy, while 10-year-old Christina Palmer has been chosen to be supported by the new scheme.

The academy was set up by Scottish Motor Sports to support young drivers and riders aged between 14 and 20 who are showing good potential.

Applications to join the academy were received from June and determined by a panel which included three-time Le Mans winner Allan McNish and three-time British Superbike champion Niall Mackenzie.

Meanwhile, Palmer is one of four younger riders selected by the Scottish Autocycle Union (SACU) to receive some support from the academy.

Academy members will each be allocated a coach to offer remote support throughout the year.

In the next 12 months, Mack and other academy members will take part in four development workshops which will support them in all aspects of their development, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to maximise their performance.

Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, welcomed “an exciting new initiative”.

He added: “The drivers and riders will receive not only top-quality coaching but will also learn the other attributes and skills they will need to develop to succeed in their sport and I hope they will make the most of this terrific opportunity. I wish them every success and look forward to following their progress.”

Rory Bryant, Scottish Motor Sports development manager, added: “There’s been a huge amount of interest in the academy since we announced it band it’s great to see it all finally coming together.

“On behalf of Scottish Motor Sports I’d like to congratulate and welcome all the new SMS Academy members, who we are very much looking forward to working with over the next year.”