Adam Gould has won the 2007 Fiesta SportingTrophy International Shootout competition.

The FST UK wildcard runner will now take over the role previously held by Victor Henriksson, who won the Shootout in 2006 and who has spent the last year working at M-Sport, the company that looks after Ford's programme in the FIA World Rally Championship.

The Shootout began on Monday this week with the 23-strong group split into three and run through three crucial sections within the sport - physical, psychological and media.

Part two of the competition took all the drivers into the famous Greystoke Forest for the next major test – driving ability.

Following the driving, M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson selected five drivers for the final test: a one-to-one interview to show why they should be selected as this year's winner.

Gould though came through to take the prize beating off 2007 FSTi champion, Barry Clark, as well as Anthony Martin, Emre Yurdakul and Andreas Sjölander, who made it to the last five.

“What an absolute dream,” said the 20-year-old. “Winning the Shootout is the best thing to happen in my rallying career and now it gives me the opportunity to be involved in the sport at a level that many young drivers only dream of.

“We haven't had the best of season in terms of results but the speed was there and I was so thankful to have been picked as the UK wildcard for the Shootout. Both days were a real challenge but I was determined to do my best to win this prize, as it is a great platform to progress forward in rallying.

“I'd like to thank Malcolm Wilson and everyone at M-Sport for making this decision in choosing me as the winner, next year is going to be a great experience and I'm really looking forward to spending the year at M-Sport and with the BP-Ford team.”

M-Sport managing director, Malcolm Wilson meanwhile said that he was impressed with all those that made it into the Shootout: “The decision this year was especially difficult and the standard of competition was very high once again,” he added.

“We hope that Adam can continue the strong example shown by Victor and maximise the benefits of this opportunity. We wish him all the best for 2008 and look forward to welcoming him to M-Sport and the BP-Ford World Rally Team.”