‘Super Seven’ finalists announced for Bob Rutherford Historic Rally Scholarship for Young Navigators selection 2026

The Bob Rutherford Scholarship ‘Super Seven’ have been selected after receipt of a strong range of applicants. It was a close call for the judges to select the seven, but they will be competing to win full training and funding to navigate in three rallies whilst also attending Motorsport UK Academy courses. In order to try and win this amazing motorsports prize, the finalists who will need to impress the expert rally panel of James Phillips (Head of Competition HERO-ERA), Guy Woodcock, Ian Canavan (Title winning experienced navigator and event winner), Gethin Phillips, Julia Perry and Tony Jardine. The ‘Super Seven’ selected are: 

Max Denny (18) – Built a rally Mini with his Grandad and never looked back! Loves and watches rallying all over the UK, now wants to get into a rally car and follow his passion. Says this opportunity would help him learn and progress. Played cricket for Gloucestershire and hockey to a high level.

Tilly Windsor (16) – A Duke of Edinburgh Award winner with ‘Best on Camp’ award at Combined Cadet Force Winter Mountaineering Camp in 2025, Tilly has been at the Silverstone Junior Rally Academy to understand and better learn the navigator’s role. Wants to progress as a navigator and achieve a degree in engineering in five year’s time.

Jocelyn Jones (23) – Regularly rained on sitting in the dickey seat of her Dad’s Humber on road rallies and caught the rally bug driving on auto solos and driving tests. Switched her attention to navigation and is focussing on improving her core skills to challenge herself and enjoy historic motorsport from the hot seat.

Elliot Medley (20) – Hooked on motorsport since attending the British GP with his Granddad in 2016, is planning to restore a vintage Massey Fergusson tractor with him as well. Multi colour Duke of Edinburgh Award winner, he lead a five day Lakeland Mountain Expedition in inclement weather to achieve Gold. Studying Aerospace Engineering, he describes the navigator’s role as an ‘intellectual puzzle.’

 Joshua Grinstead (16) – Joined the Under 17 Car Club at 14, drove his first car in the club at 15 and has since placed first in a rally driving experience. He will be studying Motorsport Engineering in the next academic year. He has been a marshal and won bronze leadership skills with the RAF Air Cadets. Would like to improve his rally skills via the scholarship.

George Simmons (17) – A car enthusiast since he could walk, prefers historic cars for the ‘sounds and smells you just don’t get from newer cars.’ Sees becoming an historic rally navigator through the scholarship as a ‘perfect opportunity.’ Tests himself on long navigational walks and was in the Nautical Training Corps, he is a member of the Goodwood Marshals Club. Wants to be a session musician in the future but develop his rally passion alongside.

Oliver Sunderland (17) – A Level 6 football referee and Level 1 coach at a tender age, Oliver wants to complete a BeEd in sport and become a PE teacher. Has been in and around rally cars since he was tiny as his Dad was heavily involved in the Armed Forces Rally Team. Wants to be involved in motorsport alongside his sports career and sees the scholarship as a dedicated pathway to actually getting into a rally car as a navigator, calling it a ‘spectacular opportunity.’

The finalists will be competing to receive full training from experts plus attend relevant Motorsport Academy courses. The Bob Rutherford Scholarship winner will compete in three HERO-ERA rallies alongside an expert driver and receive all the necessary equipment to help them as young navigators.

HERO-ERA Head of Competition James Phillips outlined what the seven finalists will face at Bicester Motion this April as they compete for the special prize in the shoot-out;

“The scholarship in memory of Bob will allow us as an organisation to keep Bob’s legacy alive with encouraging youngsters to be involved in the sport he loved. They will face a series of challenges throughout the day from Navigation exercises, Media Interviews and a chance to experience the Bicester Motion Track at full speed for a manoeuvrability test …we have picked a wide range of ages and skills as the seven successful applicants battle it out for the prize of competing on events in 2026.”

Launched at the HERO-ERA Annual Awards Ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London (Feb 2023) this very special scheme is designed to help bring young talent into historic motor sport with the kind assistance and enthusiasm of Motorsport UK. The Bob Rutherford Historic Rally Scholarship for Young Navigators has already launched its first two star winners into the sport, namely Danielle Pool and Miles Fieldhouse.

Open to a wide range of applicants between 16 and 23 years of age, entries opened in March. Whilst the eventual winner will be announced at the end of the month, Will Rutherford, co-founder of the scholarship in the name of his father Bob, explained how pleased he was with the level of interest and the calibre of the candidates for 2026.

Will “ It's great to see the scholarship back for its third year and extremely pleasing to see such a wide response from young people showing interest in the sport and wanting to be a part of this scholarship.

“The past two years have been invaluable for developing the scholarship and its success so far is testament to the work that's been put in by Guy, James and the HERO-ERA team that have created such a great opportunity for young people within historic rallying.”