Neca and Žiga both won the title of Best Slovenian Young Driver in 2021, when both represented Slovenia at AMZS’s national competition and went on to the FIA international final. Five years later, they’re back on that same track, wearing AMZS colours again, this time as safe driving instructors training the next generation of young drivers.

Neca finished third at the FIA international final that year. She says the competition changed the direction of her life, motivating her to “keep contributing, keep learning, and hopefully inspire other young people to get involved too.” Today, she runs psychosocial workshops for beginner drivers as part of a national road safety programme, work she now carries out as part of the same AMZS community that first got her involved.

Žiga followed a similar path, placing second at the FIA international final that same year. He recalls that the idea of coming back stayed with him right away: “Immediately after that I started to think about coming here again, because I love this place.” Now a safe driving instructor, he explains that the role suits him because he loves driving, enjoys working with people, and loves teaching.

Neca and Žiga’s stories show that the value of Best Young Driver does not end when the competition is over. By keeping them involved and giving them opportunities to develop, AMZS has gained two credible young road safety professionals who understand the experience of new drivers and can connect with them directly. At the same time, Neca and Žiga have been able to turn their enthusiasm into meaningful roles within the club that first opened this path for them.

For FIA Region I clubs, their journey shows what can happen when a youth competition becomes the beginning of a longer relationship. Staying connected with participants can help clubs identify future instructors, ambassadors and road safety advocates, while strengthening their links with a new generation of members. For AMZS, the return is already visible: two former competitors are now carrying the club’s work forward and helping the next generation become safer drivers.