H&H-94

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2009 Edition 94 August

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Cover

Jon Williams wows World Rallying in 2009!

inside this week:

Events

Features

Action aplenty for USRC at mid-point in season crews in Osram Rally

Contents / Issue 94 Welcome to H&H! News • • • • • • •

Alister McRae at RallyDay Vatanen announces his FIA Cabinet Kopecky tipped to win in Czech Rally Prokop to take on IRC drivers Atkinson to return to WRC in 2010?

Bryan Bouffier to drive Proton Four manufacturers in WRC in 2011?

Features • Jon Williams and the WRC 2009 • EXCLUSIVE interview: Jon Williams

Welcome to issue 94 of HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS, your FREE weekly insight into the world of rallying!

HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS recently met uo with Jon Williams, Africa’s Pirelli Star Driver 2008. Competing in five rounds of the World Rally Championship, the young South African rally ace has impressed all with his determination and never-say-die attitude.

With four events already under his belt, he has one more event to complete: the allasphalt Rally de Espana.

Having gained invaluable experience in the WRC events this year, Jon Williams has honed his talent and learned vital lessons that will enable him to reach the next step in his motorsport career.

In a feature article, read about Jon’s WRC experiences... This is a future rally star to keep a close eye on!

Event Reports • The USRC season at mid-point • Barum Rally Zlin this weekend • Title fight continues at Osram Rally

Contact To receive your FREE weekly HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS e-magazine, or if you’d like to share this with a friend please send me your e-mail address to evan.hhmag@gmail.com.

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All content copyrighted property of HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS, 2007-9.

As always, I hope you enjoy this week’s exciting edition!

Yours in Rallying, Evan Rothman

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Rallyday organisers announce that Alister McRae to attend event

Vatanen announced Cabinet Members in his FIA presidency bid

Rallyday organisers are extremely pleased to announce former British Rally Champion Alister McRae’s attendance at Rallyday 2009, which takes place on Saturday 19 September at Castle Combe Circuit. Alister, who now lives in Perth, Australia, will make a very welcome return to this country to star at the UK’s premier rally car show in front of an estimated 10 000 rally fans.

Ari Vatanen late last week announced the three members of his cabinet who support him in his candidacy for the presidential elections of the FIA, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, due to take place on 23 October. Should the representatives of the FIA’s member clubs chose to elect the former World Rally Champion as the new President, the Finn will be backed by Fernando Falco y Fernandez de Cordova from Spain as President of Senate, Bernard Tay from Singapore as Deputy President for Mobility and Hermann Tomczyk from Germany as Deputy President for Motorsport.

Alister will be driving a Mitsubishi WRC05 and the latest Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX Group N rally car, developed and supported by MML Sports. John Easton, MML Sports Managing Director, commented: “I am delighted that MML Sports is able to support this year’s Rallyday by running two of the most evocative rally cars from recent years. This will be the first time that MML Sports has officially demonstrated its range and we are excited about having both cars at the event, as well as the full support infrastructure.”

Spectators will also be able to see the McRae Enduro on the McRae Vision stand in the centre of the main paddock.

This Rally Raid car is similar to the vehicle in which Alister successfully completed the gruelling Dakar Rally at the start of 2009. For Rally Raid and off-road enthusiasts, Rallyday introduces the all-new, dedicated Rally Raid Zone, which will showcase numerous cars and trucks from this exciting sport. The Rally Raid Zone will give visitors a chance to see vehicles such as the incredible Bowler Wildcat in action and an opportunity to experience white-knuckle rides on a special stage located behind the infamous Quarry Corner.

For newcomers to Rallyday, on-track action comes in the form of professional driving demonstrations, track sessions, circuit parades and the feature rally stage. There is also a separate spectator rally stage, using perimeter roads, plus a new sideways driving competition - “Strictly Sideways”.

Off track, there is a host of displays where visitors can have a close look at some of the world’s most iconic rally cars, which have made rallying history through the years. The paddock is packed full of static displays plus the main event stage, where rallying celebrities are interviewed. There are also numerous trade exhibitors, ranging from major car manufacturers to individual specialists offering a diverse array of rally merchandise.

Rallyday Interactive is where visitors can go further than just spectate; whether it’s a rally simulator, radio-controlled rally cars, or a full-on,white-knuckle ride in a selection of rally cars, there are many activities for people to participate in.

Tickets booked before 31 August cost just £10 per adult and accompanied children go free. Tickets on the gate cost £15 per adult and £3 for children.

- Credit: rallyday.com and rallybuzz.com

“These cabinet members all have a long and proven track record in the FIA and in their respective countries. Together with them, we can bring about the necessary changes to make the FIA more transparent, more efficient and more effective and to increase the benefit for its members”, says Ari Vatanen.

“Now, it is time for change and together we can achieve this!”

Fernando Falco y Fernandez de Cordova, marqués de Cubas contributed to the creation of services and safety measures for motorists with the implementation of technical assistance and travel assistance services in Spain, Europe and throughout the world. In this capacity, he represented Spain in the FIA as well as in the AIT (International Tourism Alliance). Mr. Falco y Fernandez de Cordova is a Member of the Spanish Higher Council for traffic and road safety (Ministry of the Interior) and is part of the Group for Urban Mobility (Madrid). Until 2002, he was Vice Chairman of the World Council for Tourism and Motoring of the FIA. In June 1998, he was appointed Chairman of the AIT based in Geneva, a position he held until 2001.

Bernhard Tay was elected President of FIA Region II (Asia and the Pacific) in April 2009. He has been a life member of the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) since 1983 and has served in the AAS General Committee for more than 20 years. First co-opted as a volunteer member in 1988, and thereafter an elected member since the year 2000. Serving on the AAS General Committee has given him the opportunity to actively address motoring and motoring-related issues. In 2004, he became the Vice-President of the organisation and he became President in 2006. Continuing the club’s position as the voice of motorists and an advocate of road safety, Bernard has been playing a significant role in championing road safety programmes and activities through the club’s various channels.

This includes engaging in dialogues with relevant authorities and agencies on road safety issues.

Hermann Tomczyk was elected ADAC Sport President and Vice President of the German Motor Sport Federation (DMSB) in 1997. The same year he became a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) and in 2005 he was elected FIA Vice President in charge of road racing. Between 2006 and 2008, Hermann Tomczyk was DMSB President. In 2009, he was appointed honorary DMSB President. In May 2009, he was

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF RALLYING Featuring European rally championships, British rally championships, Rally America events, international rally results and videos, as well as S2000 and WRC news.

www.rallybuzz.com

confirmed as ADAC Vice President Sport for another four-year term. Since 1998, he has been a member of the FIA Formula 1 Commission. In the past, Tomczyk was actively competing in motorsport himself too, having taken part in the 1972 Olympic Rally, various national rallies and the European Touring Car Championship.

- Credit: Willy Weyens and rallybuzz.com

Championship in Finland recently.”

Kopecky tipped to win Czech Rally

Bryan Bouffier joins Proton for IRC Czech Rally to support Guy Wilks

Jan Kopecky has been tipped to win Barum Czech Rally Zlin, round eight of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, by the current leader in the IRC standings, Britain’s Kris Meeke.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kopecky will drive a Skoda Motorsport Fabia Super 2000 on his home event and Meeke believes that Kopecky’s pace will be hard to match.

“Jan showed in Ypres how quick he could be and I’m sure there will be no driver quicker than him,” said Meeke. “He knows the event well and he’ll be wanting to prove he’s the top Czech driver.”

Kopecky has yet to register his first IRC win but has finished on the podium on three occasions this season. His Skoda team-mate Juho Hanninen was victorious when the IRC visited Russia in July.

“I am certain this will be a fantastic rally for us and I am really looking forward to it,” said Kopecky. “I wish to invite all our fans to come to the rally.”

- Credit: ircseries.com

Franz Wittman leads huge entry for Ralliart challenge in Czech Rally The Ralliart challenge on Barum Czech Rally Zlin has been boosted by the addition of several star crews.

Ralliart is currently third in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge manufacturers’ standings after seven events thanks largely to the efforts of Austrian Franz Wittman Jr. The Interwetten Racing driver has had to shoulder the burden of the firm’s expectations for much of this season. However, the Ralliart line-up will also include Dutch driver Jasper van den Heuvel and Czech Vaclav Pech when the IRC resumes next week.

“There will be great competition, I can’t wait,” said Wittman Jr, whose father Franz Sr won the event twice in the past. “Our goal is to close the gap to the Super 2000 cars. It’s not easy because our car has less power and more weight but it’s good we have more cars to help.”

- Credit: ircseries.com

Prokop is ready and confident for Czech Rally outing for BFGoodrich Jacques Morelli, the man in charge of tyre firm BFGoodrich’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge campaign, has spoken of the high hopes he has for Martin Prokop on Barum Czech Rally Zlin.

Prokop was selected to drive the BFGoodrich Drivers’ Team entry on the Tarmac event. Although Prokop has scant experience of the Peugeot 207 Super 2000 he will use, Morelli said he was confident he would replicate the performances of Sebastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville, who represented the team in Monte Carlo and Ypres respectively.

“It promises to be another exciting event,” said Morelli. “Martin is quick on all types of surfaces and he is very experienced too, which he showed by sewing up the Junior World Rally

A jury of journalists and representatives of the Czech motorsport governing body, BFGoodrich and Kronos Racing, which runs the Peugeot 207, chose Prokop for the seat ahead of four other Czech drivers.

- Credit: ircseries.com

Bouffier joins Proton for Barum Rally Zlin The factory Proton effort will double in number for the first time this season when Bryan Bouffier joins Guy Wilks in the Malaysian manufacturer’s team.

Bouffier, who gave the Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 its competition debut last season, will contest Barum Czech Rally Zlin with the fledgling squad. The agreement is currently for the eighth round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge only.

“It was always the plan to run a second car and Bryan is a great driver to have on board because of his experience,” said Chris Mellors, whose MEM operation is responsible for Proton’s IRC campaign.

Proton’s best result since joining the IRC on June’s Belgium Ypres Rally is the fourth place Wilks recorded on Rally Russia last month.

“We’ve got ideas of how we can go even faster,” said British driver Wilks. “It’s still a new car and the most important thing is to get to the finish of each event so we can build the experience.”

- Credit: ircseries.com

Ambitious plans for WRC Rally Jordan’s WRC return for 2010 The organisers of Rally Jordan say they are planning to stage ‘one of the most spectacular motor sporting weekends ever held in the Arab World’ when the event returns to the WRC calendar next year.

The rally was first included in the WRC series in 2008, when the slick organisation and epic scenery drew widespread acclaim from teams and drivers.

Since then the organisers of the event, Jordan Motorsport, led by HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, have set themselves the target of making the event the long term home of the WRC in the Arab World.

Part of the plan for the 2010 event is to incorporate the Kingdom’s Middle East Rally Championship round into the WRC programme, making it one of the biggest sporting and social events to be held in the region that year.

Organisers are working in partnership with WRC promoters ISC and the FIA on how to technically incorporate both events over the same April weekend.

“I would like to thank the FIA President, Max Mosley, and the FIA World Council for allowing us to strengthen our position as a flagship partner for the WRC,” said Prince Feisal.

“We are going to be a part of an exciting 2010 championship which is already being heralded as a fresh beginning for the sport. Our message is clear and always has been; Jordan considers itself as the Middle East’s home for the WRC and we look forward to welcoming back the world’s very best once again.”

“Bringing these two events together provides a wonderful opportunity for our local and regional stars to compete on

the biggest stage of them all,” added HRH Prince Feisal.

“Rallying is one of the few sports where local competitors can come up against the very best and we hope this decision will provide the opportunity for our local drivers to gain invaluable experience.”

While the final rally format will be finalised and submitted to the FIA by September 1, organisers are promising a spectacular cultural launch at one of the Kingdom’s tourist attractions followed by a route that will showcase Jordan to a worldwide audience.

- Credit: wrc.com

Chris Atkinson seeking World Rally Championship return in 2010 Former Subaru works team driver Chris Atkinson is working on a bid to return to the World Rally Championship next year and has restated his aim of one day becoming World Champion.

Like Petter Solberg, Atkinson, 29, was left out in the cold when Subaru pulled its WRC programme late last year. Unlike Solberg, however, the Australian has been absent from most of the 2009 series, tackling only the first round, Rally Ireland, as part of the Citroen Junior Team.

But despite his absence, Atkinson told wrc.com he was still aiming to return to the WRC, even if the limited number of manufacturer seats available now was limited.

“Returning to the WRC and becoming World Champion is the main objective but at the moment there aren’t many [driver] opportunities out there - at least not the ones I want,” he said.

“This year it’s unlikely I’ll do any more rallies, so I’m focussing my attention on the future. I’m in discussions to try and get something sorted. I’m talking to everyone - that’s what you’ve got to do to keep your name out there.”

Atkinson’s 2008 season was his fourth in the WRC and his best to date in terms of results. Despite battling with an uncompetitive car he took five podiums and regularly had the edge over his team-mate Petter. Atkinson believes this experience will be beneficial in his bid to return to the championship.

“I’m sure I can pick up where I left off,” he said. “The results last year showed how competitive we were against Petter and now look how he’s doing in a four-year-old car. It’s not like I’m not capable of good results either - that’s why I want to get back.”

“Sure there are younger drivers out there but it’s hard to get the experience I’ve got. Look at someone like Marcus [Gronholm] - he didn’t get his first opportunity in the WRC until he was 32. Sebastien [Loeb] won his first at 30. I’m in my 20s, so not over the hill yet. I’ve got another 10 years left in this sport. One year out isn’t going to be a problem. But the sooner I’m back in a car the better - I’m more motivated than ever to get out there.”

The deadline for entries for next month’s rally Australia closed last week and, barring a last minute miracle, Atkinson doesn’t

expect to be there - either as a driver or a spectator. “I live in Monaco, and if I had a job to do there I’d be happy to go, but I’m not going to travel all the way home to watch a race I’d rather be driving in,” he said. “Of course I wanted to drive - but only if that was with a top-spec World Rally Car. When you’ve driven professionally there’s no point turning up unless you can be competitive.”

Atkinson’s three-month-old daughter has been keeping him busy recently, but he insists he remains ready for action: “Since Ireland the only competition driving I’ve done has been as a guest driver in a Mini championship race in Australia. I came second against some of the V8 Super car boys, so that was okay. In a rally car I’ve done a bit of testing to keep my hand in and to stay sharp. I’ve also been training quite hard - more than before because I have more time. I’m four kilos lighter and fitter than ever - so when I come back, watch out.”

- Credit: wrc.com

Martin Prokop looking to move up to WRC class for 2010 Newly crowned Junior World Rally Champion Martin Prokop is hoping to use his title as a springboard to another level of competition in next year’s World Rally Championship.

After four full seasons in a 1600cc two-wheel drive car, as well as being a front-runner in the Production Car championship, the progression to a World Rally Car - ideally a Citroen - is top of Prokop’s wish list. But the 26-year-old is also considering the 2010 Cup for Super 2000 cars, as well as ongoing opportunities in the Production and Junior categories.

“My team already has a few Super 1600 cars and a few Production cars, so the easiest way would be to continue like this. But everybody knows that we should make a step up and for me that step is into Super 2000 or WRC - but it’s quite a big step!” Prokop told wrc.com.

Part of the reason for the uncertainly is the fact that Prokop wrapped up the title earlier than he had expected, at a time when next year’s technical and sporting regulations are still uncertain.

“We expected we would fight until the end of the season and then see what to do next year. Now we are champions in August and we really don’t know what to do,” he said. “ We have to wait until the FIA World Council meeting [on 21 October] to see what they decide about the future of the WRC and Super 2000. Then we can say what to do.

“If we will not find budget for WRC we have to choose whether to stay with P-WRC or do one more year in J-WRC or if we will try to buy Super 2000. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to invest the money in a Super 2000 car yet, I have to wait for the FIA decision,” he added.

Prokop said that after winning the title in a Citroen C2, he would prefer to progress to the C4 WRC next year, but felt any World Rally Car opportunities would depend upon the amount of budget he could raise.

Prokop said: “Of course we would like to continue with Citroen

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because we have very good relationship with Citroen Sport and we know a lot of people there. Also I tested a C4 WRC last year, so we’d like for sure to carry on with this very good team. For me it would be the best outcome but everybody knows it’s about something else - first we have to find budget to do something and then we can ask.”

- Credit: wrc.com

soil.

02) Three Oil-only polypropylene absorbent mat. Minimum dimensions: 15” x 20” such as the PIG® Oil-Only Mat #MAT403 03) One pair non-latex gloves. Such as disposable 4 mil nitrile gloves.

04) One heavy plastic or vinyl closable bag suitable for transporting the contaminated contents of this kit when it has been utilized.

WRC-BRC Cycle offer chance to win piece of motorsport history

A kit that meets these requirements is available from Susquehanna Motorsports: http://www.rallylights.com/detail. aspx?ID=3724 The kit from Susquehanna also meets the spill kit requirement for Rally America. Competitors may increase the quantities or add to the minimum kit if they wish.

- Credit: unitedstatesrallychampionship.com

The rally crews behind the recent WRC-BRC Cycle are offering fans the chance to win a piece of motorsport history in the first of two exclusive Ebay auctions – the helmet Hannu Mikkola wore for the 2008 Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally.

Monies raised from the two auctions will go towards the huge sum already raised by the cyclists for Spinal Research and the Wales Air Ambulance.

“The helmet was kindly donated to us by Nicky Grist,” said cycle organiser Mark Lewis. “It offers us the chance to raise even more money for two well deserving and rally friendly charities, while also giving someone the opportunity to own a fantastic piece of memorabilia.”

Mikkola was one of many former world rally champions who took part in the 2008 Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally in tribute to the late British champion. He was co-driven by Nicky Grist in a Ford Escort Mk2.

“Hannu has also signed the helmet, further increasing the value of it,” said Lewis. “We have put the item on Ebay for a week and a direct link to it on our website which is at wrc-brc. co.uk Please spread the word to all of your motorsport mad friends. Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far, and to those who are going to bid – good luck!”

The helmet is listed on Ebay as item number 140340303072.

Bidding ends on 26 August.

This is the first of two WRC-BRC auctions which will appear on Ebay to raise further funds for the charity cycle. News of the second auction will be announced when the helmet has been sold.

- Credit: rallybrc.co.uk

Four manufacturers to contest in the WRC 2011 season?

ISC chairman Neil Duncanson has stated that he would like to see four manufacturers contesting the World Rally Championship in 2011, according to autosport.com.

Duncanson feels that when the championship had seven manufacturers competing at the start of the decade only four were in a position to capitalise.

“There’s no question that I would like a couple of manufacturers to come in and join the two we already have,” he said. “But I don’t want any more than four.

“When North One Television came in to the WRC as a television partner in 2000, there were seven manufacturers and I don’t think that was effective at all.

“Beyond the fourth manufacturer, the other three didn’t stand a chance of winning a rally or even coming close to a podium. I don’t think that was particularly healthy for those manufacturers.”

Volkswagen and Fiat are two manufacturers that have given the strongest indication yet that they might join the WRC in the future.

- Credit: autosport.com and rallybuzz.com

Rally New York now requires hazardous material spill kits Rally New York wishes to announce that beginning immediately all competitors will be required to carry a hazardous material spill kit in all competition vehicles and utilize the contents to contain and remove any fuel or oil spill caused by their vehicle within the capability of the kit.

The minimum contents will include: 01) Three 1 pound containers of Oil Absorbent and Bioremediation powder such as Oil Gator. “Kitty Litter” is not acceptable as its absorbency is not suited to leaching oil from

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JON WILLIAMS:

TAKING ON THE WORLD’S RALLY GIANTS

Fully commited to the right-hand hairpin fast approaching, the driver of the the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X quickly lines the car up to then deftly flick the car sideways, down-changes through the gearbox and snatches the handbrake. Re-appearing through a dust plume, the yellow-liviried machine accelerates through the gears to disappear over a crest with a distinctive bark from the Mitsubishi’s exhaust clinging to the dust still hanging in the air… WRITES EVAN ROTHMAN. IMAGES BY FIA.COM. Jon Williams, Africa’s 2008 Pirelli Star Driver Champion, has taken on the best rally drivers in the world and has showcased his ever-increasing talent and maturity on the world’s most challenging rally stages. Jon Williams has a bright rally future ahead of him: WRC, take note!

Portugal (01 – 05 April). With the event run in perfect weather conditions, the five Pirelli Star Driver crews took to the fast and challenging stages to finish the three-day event impressing rally bosses, sponsors and spectators alike with their determination and speed.

Round One: Portugal Contesting five rounds of the World Rally Championship (WRC), Williams’ first event was the Vodafone Rally de

Never having competed in a Group N rally car – or even driving a left-hand drive rally car – Williams outshone his fellow Pirelli Star Drivers to complete the event without restarting under

SupeRally regulations… The plucky South African and African rally star posted quick stage times that seemed to improve with each stage behind his back. As he gained more confidence in his own abilities, and in the machine underneath him, Williams attacked the Portuguese gravel roads in the fashion that brought him the Pirelli Star Driver Africa title in 2008.

car, we have to be pushing in some places. These first few events are really the ones I have targeted. I know a bit more about driving in the heat on rougher gravel rallies – it’s Finland and then the asphalt where I will struggle, so I have to get it right and quickly before Italy.”

Co-driven by Britain’s George Gwynn, Williams not only impressed the Pirelli Star Driver team, but caught the eye of FIA bosses too. President of the FIA, Max Mosley, was complimentary of the new driver and the Pirelli Star Driver campaign: “We’re delighted with the success, so far, of the Pirelli young driver programme. It’s really very pleasing to see people coming into the World Rally Championship who would otherwise not have an opportunity to do that. It’s very pleasing to see the enthusiasm and interest coming from the drivers and the interest that is engendered in their regions.”

Speaking after the event, Williams said: “I’m really pleased with the way the event went.

I set myself targets through the event and we achieved them.

Obviously, I didn’t have as much experience of the car as I wanted, but I was only going to get that by staying on the road. The super special on Thursday night didn’t quite go to plan; the one thing I absolutely wanted was a clean run to settle my nerves – not to slide wide and touch the barrier, but that’s what I did. Once we got into Friday and the gravel stages, everything worked better for me.

“This was the first event for George [Gwynn] and myself and we gelled really well. The stages were really tough. On the first view they don’t look so bad, but there is so much detail in there, so many blind crests and tight little technical sections. Saturday afternoon was really hard work. I had a couple of moments in there as well. We were pushing on a bit in fifth gear when we ran wide and dropped into a ditch. I kept my foot in and the car popped out the other side. My heart stopped, but as well as getting the experience and time in the

Round Two: Italy Searing temperatures, technical and tricky gravel stages and mechancical woes resulted in a high rate of attrition for competitors on the Rally d’Italia Sardegna (20 – 24 May), round six of the World Rally Championship and the second outing for the Pirelli Star Drivers.

The Pirelli-backed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Xs were plagued by mechanical gremlins in this event, with all five crews suffering with the same fuel pump problems on Day One of this demanding rally. The problem was partly fixed at the end of Day One, but it was only Finnish driver Jarkko Nikara who was able to complete all 17 stages of the event. Williams was forced to retire from the event after SS2 with clutch and

electrical problems. Together with the other three stricken Pirelli Star Driver crews, he re-started the rally on Day Two under SupeRally regulations.

Although fitted with new fuel pumps for Day Two’s rally action, the Lancers were still misfiring at the lower end of the rev range. Two of the five Pirelli crews retired on Day Two, but Williams made it through the long day’s rallying.

His Lancer once more suffered bad luck when he was slowed by the loss of power steering on Day Two’s afternoon loop of stages. Despite this, Williams manhandled his Lancer across the finish line on Day Three and had shown an improvement in pace from the opening event of the Pirelli Star Driver campaign in Portugal.

“This wasn’t the easiest rally for any of us Pirelli Star Drivers,” said Williams at the end of Day Three. “In fact, for me, it was the hardest rally of my life. After I’d done the recce, I was really looking forward to the Friday stages – they were nice, flowing, beautiful roads. So to have the problem we had on the opening day was a real shame. The throttle stuck wide open on the first stage, which meant having to switch the car off from time to time in the stage, but then on SS2 the clutch broke, we couldn’t get a gear and we stopped there and then.

After finishing in Portugal, my confidence was much better for this event. My pace notes had really improved and things were looking good. Because of our problems on the first day, we were running further down the field on the second day and there really was some chaos back there. We had people crashing and blocking the road in front of us, all sorts – it was a bit of a crazy day. And it got worse in the afternoon, when we suffered a power steering problem. The team had changed the steering rack at lunchtime and then in the next stage, I think a pipe started to leak fluid. We were able to pour some fluid in for the next stage, but that went and I was left to get the car through. It was incredible; I have to say I did wonder whether or not I could carry on. The heat in the car was just amazing and all of the time the wheel was jumping out of my hands and I was having to catch it without power steering. My shoulders and back and everything were finished when we got to Olbia on Saturday night. But Sunday was better and we got through the final five stages. I’m happy with the increase in speed we’ve shown – we’ve halved the gap to the guys at the front from the first event in Portugal. Now we want to go to Greece and work on getting that gap down again.”

Round Three: Acropolis-Greece As with all editions of the Acropolis Rally of Greece, the 2009 event (10 – 14 June) was staged over the rock-strewn gravel roads in 40-plus degree Celsius temperatures, to test to their fullest not only the reliability of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Xs but also their Pirelli Star Driver crews. Competing in their third event of the inaugural Pirelli Star Driver programme in the World Rally Championship, this most punishing of rallies once again only saw one of the five drivers reach the finish line on Day Three: our Jon Williams!

ESP, the training firm employed to work with the Pirelli Star Drivers and co-owned by former World Rally Championship competitor Robert Reid, was on hand at the event to monitor the physical performance and concentration levels of the crews in the exceptional conditions found in Greece – and it was discovered that one day’s competition on the Acropolis Rally of Greece was like the drivers going for a 10-hour jog…

Jon Williams and co-driver George Gwynn were the only Pirelli Star Driver crew to complete all three days of competition.

William’s pace and performance saw a significant improvement at this event, and saw him steadily move up the leaderboard to challenge the fastest of the Group N drivers. Williams brought his Lancer home in 19th position overall, a result he can be very proud of.

Williams said: “And there was me thinking Rally d’Italia had been tough! The Acropolis Rally is just amazing. I have seen some rocky roads in my time rallying in Africa, but this was on another level, it was just incredible. The first day was okay, but on Saturday the second run through the stages was unbelievable. There were two tracks through the stage and you just had to stick in them, the bottom of the car was constantly smashing into the ground, it was so tough. We had a problem with the gearbox in our car on the first day, so the team changed it before Saturday. On day two, we had some more trouble: I had to hold the car in third and fourth gear for some of the stages and then on the last stage of the day, we only had first, second and third. As you can imagine, we were on the rev limiter for quite a long time in that stage!

“At the end of the second day, the team put the first gearbox back in. They’d been able to fix the problem with fifth gear, but we still had no reverse, which meant I had to be really careful not to spin. I’m really pleased to get to the end of the Acropolis – it’s been a major physical challenge for all of us. But, at the same time, it’s been good to see my times improving for the second event in succession. We had our first fastest split time overall on this event, which was great news and a great positive to take away from this event.”

Round Four: Finland Finland is regarded as the spiritual home of rallying; and, who can argue with the fact that they boast the most World Rally Champions… Finland (29 July – 02 August) is a specialist rally, a unique event in rallying around the world. The event is billed

as the fastest, most thrilling and dangerous round on the World Rally Championship calendar for 2009, and being the only Pirelli Star Driver to never have competed in Scandinavia Williams set off for the first stage with his customary determination and commitment.

Jon Williams was the only driver to bring his Pirelli-liveried Mitsubishi Lancer X to the finish line, while his fellow Pirelli Star Driver competitors were caught out by their inexperience at driving on the fast Finnish gravel roads.

Williams and co-driver Gwynn were seeded further down the field for day One of the event, and this resulted in them losing valuable time when a competitor in front of them struggled with mechanical problems, forcing Williams to follow for 10km on SS1.

Day Two of the event presented better results for the young South African: he rocketed up the leaderboard, and finished a highly respectable 21st overall and only fifth in Group N. Remember, Rally Finland is the fastest, most thrilling and dangerous round on the World Rally Championship calendar!

“What a rally!” said Williams after the event. “I can tell you, I’m thinking of selling my house to make sure that I get back to this event next year. It’s just been fantastic. Okay, the first day was tough when we kept catching the car ahead. We had a smashed windscreen and damage to the front of the car from following him and trying to get past him. I got pretty wound up at the time, but I calmed down and got into the second day and then just had a ball. I was two minutes behind Nicos when I started the day, but I just focused on trying to catch him. All day, I set target after target to take time out of him and get past him. It was amazing, we were taking 15 seconds a stage back. I think I was helped a little bit by the fact that I’d driven a lot in ruts in Africa, so I had a good idea how to keep the speed up on the second run at the stages.

I feel like everything is coming together a bit more now. I feel

more at home in the car – and don’t forget this is only my fourth ever event in this kind of Group N machine – and I feel I learned more than ever on this rally. Before the start, it was my dream to make the top 10 [in Group N] but then suddenly we were moving into the top five. Amazing. I’ve had to be patient with my development and build things up slowly this season, but this is some of the reward. I’m here with another finish under my belt, which is great for me and the team, and my speed is getting better and better. There is no doubt that I’ve never driven faster or flown further on a rally. I watched some of the in-car footage last night and it’s just insane!”

“The other driver to come away from here having learned a great deal and showed another great step forward is Jon Williams,” said Phil Short, Pirelli Star Driver Supervisor. “I’ve been absolutely delighted with the way he drove this rally. He was handicapped by a poor seeding on the opening day, but the way he dealt with that and the problems of running in the dust has been tremendous. Since that first day, Jon has driven brilliantly.

Mario Isola, Pirelli Rally Manager said: “Once again, there were positive aspects of this rally for the Pirelli Star Drivers.

We saw Jon Williams again improving his speed. He is now considerably closer to the front-running pace of Group N cars on a round of the World Rally Championship and once again we saw him making the best of his opportunity and getting the full mileage in.

Jon Williams will now head to the smooth asphalt roads of Spain for the Movistar RACC Rallye de Espana from 01 to 04 October. Williams will once again be the least experience of the Pirelli Star Driver crews, but as has been showcased in the previous four events Williams will challenge the route, the Group N drivers and himself. HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS will bring a review of South Africa and Africa’s rally star’s debut asphalt rally. Good Luck, Jon!

STAR DRIVER:

THE JON WILLIAMS INTERVIEW

HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS asks Jon Williams some tough questions... The 2008 Africa Pirelli Star Driver Champion has had a dream year mixing with the world’s best rally drivers. Now with eyes focusing on this young man, Jon Williams answers our questions!

INTERVIEW BY EVAN ROTHMAN. IMAGES SUPPLIED. H&H: Driving in the world’s most prestigious rallies and competing with the world’s best rally drivers and co-driver must be your dream come true. What are your thoughts and feelings whenever you climb into your rally car?

Jon Williams: It really has become a dream come true for me being the first South African competing in the World Rally Championship; it’s just amazing, and a proud feeling. Every time I arrive at an event, I have to pinch myself just to make sure this is real. To see my name on the start list amongst the world’s best is unbelievable!

H&H: The Pirelli Star Driver squad of drivers are all very talented…

Jon Williams: Yes, they are. They have a lot of experience at driving and competing at N4 level. They put a lot of effort into

practicing and being competitive. I think they all have a great future in the sport.

H&H: It must be surreal to have a “factory”-like team setup around you?

Jon Williams: It’s unbelievable to have such a professional team behind me like Ralliart Italy. They only want the best for me and running a five-car team is not easy, but I feel like I am a part of a one-car team. They really listen to you as a driver, even though we are young and don’t have a lot of experience. It teaches us to learn set-up and how to handle ourselves professionally. We have made massive steps forward as a team in a short time, which is great. They are not scared to get stuck in and work hard to get best result for the team.

H&H: Compared with our South African rally scene, are

the P-WRC drivers all quicker than ours?

Jon Williams: Yes, the guys here are very quick but they are all professional drivers and spend a lot of time in the car. Its different a level here, much bigger budgets to run the teams.

We have loads of talent, just no support to take it further. They also push the young talent through the ranks quickly, and help them along to become better drivers.

H&H: What lies next for Jon Williams, after the Pirelli Star Driver events?

Jon Williams: Well! I’m busy working hard on a few things, but no guarantees yet. I hope my results have been noticed by our local works teams. I have met some great people along the way, so I am hoping that I can get some help from them. I would like to get back into an S2000 again as I have experience in that car. Maybe the S2000 Cup of Nations in the WRC or the IRC championships. I really don’t mind, so long as I’m driving next year; I wouldn`t like to be sitting at home after this, as I would really like to use this experience next year.

H&H: What are your memorable rallying moments so far this year?

Jon Williams: There are so many: from the start in Portugal, seeing the flag amongst all the other countries, to my last event in Finland. Just competing in these legendary events and meeting all the past and present champions I have seen on television. I went to Juha Kankkunen’s private rally car museum, and met him and many more great drivers and codrivers. I can’t name them all. Crazy stuff, I can’t believe it!

H&H: How do you see your season pan out?

Jon Williams: It`s only my fourth time ever driving an N4 car, so I still feel like I’m learning fast and making big steps forward every event. My co-driver and I are also making big improvements, with me learning how to make my own pace notes. I really just want to do better and better on every event, and keep pushing for better results. I have much more confidence in the car and an even better setup, but it hasn’t been easy. I just want to make the most of my opportunities.

H&H: Do you interact with the drivers often? Do you have any friends in rallying, or is it as competitive as Formula One? Jon Williams: Rallying is an awesome sport as everyone gets along really well. I often get a chance to chat to the top guys at shakedown and during the event. I have made lots of friends, and even met some Formula one drivers at the rallies.

H&H: Who do you respect in rallying and in the WRC? Jon Williams: There are a few drivers, but at the moment it must be Petter Solberg as he was a top works driver and wasn’t scared to get into an old car and keep rallying because he loves the sport so much. He runs his own team. Colin McRae is one of my favorite drivers as he never gave up no matter what.

sport competitors don’t?

Jon Williams: Rallying is a sport where things can change very quickly. As a driver you have to always be ready and read the road conditions as they can change all the time never mind the weather conditions. You have to be brave and push your own limits a lot of the time. Rally drivers have really good car control, because of the surface we drive on and we can go quickly on tarmac too.

H&H: It must be a busy office to sit in, the driver’s seat of your rally car. Can you tell us about your rally car?

Jon Williams: Yes, it’s very busy. For me it’s been quite a challenge as I have been used to a sequential gearbox and a right-hand drive car. My Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is left-hand drive and has a five-speed manual crash-box, and is turbocharged. It’s also four wheel drive and accelerates out of corners really quickly; it’s a big car, but it jumps really well.

H&H: What tips can you offer young rallying drivers in terms of setting quick and consistent stage times?

Jon Williams: You have to set yourself targets from the start where you want to be and how quickly you want to get there.

The more competitive kilometres you do, the quicker you will learn. Its difficult because, yes, we all love going flat-out, but if you haven’t learnt the basics properly, you will crash. Being fit really helps you to keep concentrated for longer.

H&H: What was your main motivation in entering rallying? What are your career aspirations?

Jon Williams: I have many reasons, but one for me at a young age had to be seeing Serge Damseaux coming through the Cape rallies’ well-known watersplash flat-out. The adrenalin of going flatout, attacking the gravel roads and big jumps and having a clean run where you give it 100%! I just really enjoy rallying. I would like to stay rallying at the top level and try become more professional. I also miss rallying back home too.

H&H: What are your predictions for the 2009 WRC season?

Jon Williams: To keep pushing and learn as much as possible.

To finish this program as the top driver and the most improved, and keep getting great results.

H&H: What is your favourite event on the? And, why?

Jon Williams: I have a few, but Finland has to be my favorite event. It’s just a rally-mad country; they love rallying and support the teams, and have massive crowds. The stages are unbelievable they are so fast and flowing with massive jumps and crests. You have to be so pumped up and committed to do well. It’s an adrenalin rush from start of rally to the finish.

H&H: The glory days of the current WRC cars are numbered. From 2010, they will be running S2000+ rally cars. What are your views on this? You have already gained so much experience in an S2000, will we be seeing you on the WRC podiums more often?

Jon Williams: I think its great even though I would love to drive one of the current cars. It will create more opportunity for drives and have more teams coming back into the sport.

It’s just so expensive to run these current cars. For me it’s great as I have experience in these types of cars; I have better chance of getting onto podium more consistently in this car.

H&H: The pressures and expectations on you must be enormous…

Jon Williams: Yes it is. I knew it would be tough as I would have to learn a lot in a very short time at the very top of the sport. You don’t normally go to a World Rally and have to learn how to drive a new car for the first time. I am driving against top national champions with loads of experience, but I was up for the challenge. I have got results I never thought I would achieve so early in the championship and have got great comments from top people in the sport and my team. Some people don’t realise how tough it is at this level; it so different to our local championship, lots of hard work and discipline. You are always going to have one or two jealous people that think they can do it better.

H&H: Rallying in South Africa is popular, but still needs to break into the public mainstream. What do you think the sport needs to do this?

Jon Williams: It’s hard to say. I think we need more exposure overseas. We need more opportunities for younger drivers and co-drivers, bigger sponsors to promote the sport. FIA events will help get more foreign drivers and competition for us to compare our talent against.

H&H: There is great talent rising up through the ranks in world rallying. Who do you think will be the next star rallying fans and competitors should look out for?

Jon Williams: That’s a difficult one! Ha ha ha! I think as a South African, they can watch out for me!

H&H: What would you like to see in rallying, and motorsport, happen?

Jon Williams: That rallying and South African drivers get more exposure and support from local media and sponsors form local business and country.

H&H: What makes a rally driver a rally driver? What characteristics do rally drivers possess that other motor

HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS wishes you best of luck, Jon!

MID-SEASON POINT IN

UNITED STATES RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

As the United States Rally Championship (USRC) passes the mid-point of its fifth season, competition is heating up in all categories on both sides of the country. The United States Rally Championship awards separate National Championship titles in the 2WD category and in the AWD category. In addition, eligible crews compete for the 2WD Production Cup and the AWD Production Cup. Most USRC events provide for two-pass reconnaissance and allow pace notes. TEXT BY USRC. IMAGE BY PETE KUNCIS.

In the Atlantic Division and overall, the Irish crew of Daniel O’Brien, a former Eastern States Champion, and Brendan McCabe in a Subaru Impreza is leading the AWD Championship at mid-season. They have been steadily climbing in the standings by finishing fourth at Rally New York USA and second at Rally Tennessee. Another Irish team of Tom Lawless with codriver Brian Sharkey, who flies in for the USRC events all the way from Ireland, in a Mitsubishi Lancer is second after winning Rally Tennessee. Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino, in a Subaru Impreza, two-time winners of Rally New York USA are third in the AWD Championship. In the Pacific Division, Keith Jackson and Marra Estep in a Subaru Impreza are leading after winning Rally Idaho. Two more Subaru teams of Paul Eklund with Jeff Price and Byron Garth with Ron Crawford are second and third.

In the 2WD Championship in the Atlantic Division and overall, the Irishmen Dan Brosnan and Shane McCann in Nissan Sentra are leading after winning Rally New York USA and placing second at Rally Tennessee. They are the 2008 USRC runner-ups in the 2WD category. Josh and Jeremy Wimpey in a Volkswagen Golf GTi are second with a second place at Rally Idaho. Wimpey brothers are the 2007 USRC runner-ups in the 2WD category. Brad Morris and Doug Nagy in a 2WD Mitsubishi Lancer are third. They won Rally Tennessee. In the Pacific Division, Lauchlin O’Sullivan, a former Mitsubishi USA Team driver, with codriver Karen Wagner in a Dodge SRT-4 are leading after winning Rally Idaho. Aurimas and Amy Bakchis in an Eagle Talon are second and Cody Crane with Patrick Darrow in a Honda CRX are third.

Subaru driver William Petrow is leading the AWD Production

Cup in the Atlantic Division with a win at Rally New York USA and a second place at Rally Tennessee. The leading codriver is Austin Gager who has placed third and fourth in the previous events. Another Subaru crew of Byron Garth and Ron Crawford is leading the AWD Production Cup in the Pacific Division.

Michael Reilly and Josh Benthien in a Ford Focus SVT are in the first place in the 2WD Production Cup in the Atlantic Division. Alex Rademacher and John Stewart in a 2WD Subaru Impreza are leading the 2WD Production Cup in the Pacific Division. The United States Rally Championship will continue with the remaining events that include Gorman Ridge Rally in California, Prescott Rally in Arizona and the final round of the Championship - International Rally New York.

Pacific Division teams are competing for coveted cash travel subsidies that will be awarded to top six teams in the Division.

The total of $12,000 in subsidies will be distributed to Pacific Division teams to assist them with travelling to the final round of the United States Rally Championship in New York.

The United States Rally Championship is taking bold steps to make national competition more affordable and accessible to a larger number of rally teams. This is the third season of the new Championship structure that minimizes or, for many teams, eliminates the need for repeated cross-country travel during the Championship season by providing competition on each side of the country. The final round of the Championship at the end of the year counts both in the Atlantic Division and the Pacific Division and together with the results from all previous rounds decides the top spots in the Championship.

EPIC BATTLE IN STORE

FOR BARUM CZECH RALLY ZLIN FOR IRC

The Barum Czech Rally Zlin, round eight of 11 in this year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge, takes place this weekend (21 - 23 August), with a huge entry including no fewer than 25 of the top-flight Super 2000 machines – another record attendance for the IRC. TEXT BY IRCSERIES.COM. A truly iconic rally in Europe, the Barum Czech Rally Zlin is the foremost motor sport event in the Czech Republic. As a result the event draws enormous interest, all the more so in 2009 as the works Skoda Motorsport team attempts to unseat the leading Peugeot runners from the top of this year’s championship tables.

Skoda missed the previous round, the Rali Vinho Madeira earlier this month, in order to focus its pair of Fabia S2000 machines on an all-out assault on its home event. Asphalt ace Jan Kopecky sits just five points behind current series leader Kris Meeke with three rounds remaining, and as his team-mate Juho Hanninen suggested, there is enormous presure for the 27-year-old to soak up.

“The pressure will be on Jan because he is a Czech driver in a Czech car and is very quick,” Skoda’s Finnish gravel star said.

“For me, it will be my first time there so I am not expecting anything too much. A top-five finish would be good.”

Piling pressure on Kopecky, championship leader Meeke himself said he expects to see his Skoda rival to take the honours on the event.

“Jan showed in Ypres how quick he could be and I’m sure there will be no driver quicker than him,” he said. “He knows the event well and he’ll be wanting to prove he’s the top Czech driver.”

Once again Meeke heads a large entry of Peugeot 207 S2000 machines, including the two Benelux-entered cars of Belgian star Freddy Loix and France’s defending IRC champion Nicolas Vouilloz. Among the other Peugeot runners are some extremely fast and experienced Czech runners, such as Pavel Valousek, ex-Skoda WRC man Roman Kresta and the BF Goodrich Drivers Team entry of newly-crowned Junior World Rally Championship winner, Martin Prokop.

Coming into the Barum Czech Rally Zlin on a high is the Abarth squad, after team leader Giandomenico Basso won the last event in Madeira to boost himself into the IRC title race. The second of the team’s Grande Punto S2000 machines will be driven once again by Luca Rossetti, as the all-Italian squad catches up on its Skoda and Peugeot rivals.

Meanwhile, among the ‘guest’ entries on the event will be the Citroen Junior WRC Team member, Evgeny Novikov. The teenage Russian is the third and final member of the Citroen squad to have competed in this year’s IRC, after his French team-mate Sebastien Ogier took a stunning victory on round 1 in Monte Carlo when he drove the BF Goodrich Drivers Team

Peugeot, and was followed by young Zimbabwean Conrad Rautenbach when he drove a Peugeot on the Rally Azores.

Novikov will drive a Skoda Fabia S2000 and is expected to have new co-driver Stephane Prevot alongside him.

A large contingent of Ralliart entries also makes its way to the Barum Czech Rally Zlin, led by Franz Wittmann, son of the two-time winner of this classic Czech event; Franz Wittmann Sr. The younger Wittmann was not optimistic that his turbocharged production-spec Evo IX could challenge for outright victory against the lighter S2000 machines, but was looking forward to a tough and close competition to be the top Ralliart finisher.

Among those bidding to beat Wittmann are Dutchman Jasper van den Heuvel, who flew on his last IRC appearance in Ypres with his unique Evo X. The remaining 29 Ralliart runners will compete in the tried and tested Evo IX and will be crewed by contenders for the local championship, who will doubtless show strongly against the international field of the IRC. Proton’s all-new IRC effort with the Satria Neo S2000 sees the single car to have competed so far, that of British driver Guy Wilks, paired up with a second entry for Frenchman Bryan Bouffier. The highly promising new contenders scored a fourthplace finish in last month’s Rally Russia in Wilks’s hands, and as the car continues to undergo rigorous development to make up ground it can be expected to perform more strongly on every event.

Honda also returns to IRC action in the Czech Republic with a strong entry in the 2WD Cup. On last month’s Rally Russia the top two-wheel-drive Civic Type R performed strongly enough to give the Japanese giant its first outright points in the IRC, but with competition from Peugeot and Abarth there will be a tremendous battle in store for the class honours.

The Barum Czech Rally Zlin gets underway in the town centre of Zlin on the evening of Friday August 21 with the ceremonial start leading into a fabulous spectator-friendly Superspecial stage in the city.

On Saturday 22 August Leg One continues with two runs through the Pindula, Halkovice, and Kudlovice stages. Finally the event reaches a climax on Sunday 23 August when the field tackles the Trojak, Semetin and Komarov stages in the morning and once more in the afternoon before the victory celebrations can begin back in Zlin.

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OSRAM RALLY:

MAKE OR BREAK FOR TITLE HOPEFULS

Hergen Fekken and Pierre Arries go into the Osram Rally, the sixth round of the Sasol South African Rally Championship with a commanding 14point lead over title rivals Johnny Gemmell and Peter Marsh, leaving the Castrol Toyota crew with everything to do and the BP Ultimate Volkswagen championship leader with the luxury of being able to cruise to no more than second place over the three remaining rounds of the series.

Fekken and Arries have three wins to Gemmell and Marsh’s two victories; the crunch came when Gemmell finished badly on both the Rally of South Africa and most recently, the Volkswagen Rally. While Fekken earned 25 points, Gemmell could do no better than 5th and 4th on the last two rounds respectively.

while the BP Volkswagen trio of Polos is fully developed and seemingly bulletproof, so unlikely to suffer mechanical problems. The three-way fight between the Castrol Toyota and BP teams is one that is set to thrill the rally faithful, starting with the unique one-day, seven-stage Osram Rally, held in the northern part of the Eastern Cape.

Gemmell’s back is to the wall and he must win the last three rallies with Fekken finishing no better than third, and to achieve this he needs team-mates Mark Cronje and Robert Paisley to bring the second Castrol Toyota Auris S2000 home on his back bumper, shutting Fekken out of a possible 21 points. And the Toyota team needs to do this three times!

Starting from Lady Grey at 07h30 on Saturday morning, the Osram Rally requires crews to have a huge amount of bravery and a not inconsiderable dose of insanity, for the 170km route runs on wide, gravel-surfaced mountain passes with cars reaching terminal velocities around 185km/h and an average speed over 100km/h!

The problem facing the Castrol Toyota squad is that the Auris is but a year old with much development still to come,

While Fekken and Gemmell will hog the headlines as they fight it out for the 2009 Sasol Rally Championship, their respective

team-mates have their own ambitions and it should be Jan Habig/Douglas Judd in the second Polo who offers the biggest threat to the two title leaders. Habig and Judd are third in the 2009 race, seven points adrift of Gemmell and by no means out of the title chase.

Expect Habig to drive as hard and spectacularly as ever as he attempts to win his first rally of the year and stay ahead of the third Volkswagen Polo of Enzo Kuun/Guy Hodgson. Kuun has had a lacklustre year so far, but shone on the recent Volkswagen Rally so should be reenergized as he tackles the last part of the season.

has.

Heading the class A7 championship battle is Stevan Wilken and Greg Gericke in their very quick Pannar Seeds/Triton Express Volkswagen Polo A7 who have three wins, one second and a non-finish to their credit. Their lead was whittled down to just two points ahead of Evan Hutchinson/Elvene Coetzee in their Motorite Toyota RunX A7.

The second Castrol Toyota Auris S2000 of Mark Cronje/Robert Paisley has been very quick but erratic, with driver and car problems allowing the hard-charger but one podium finish; his time has come to assist Gemmell and Toyota needs Cronje to deliver.

The next level of S2000 runners outside of the factory teams is headed by Nicholas Ryan/Geoff Tyrer in their unsponsored Toyota RunX after a string of top 10 placings, while the Mokopane-based Theuns Joubert/Hennie Botes (Salom Group Volkswagen Polo S2000) have also had a good run, posting their year’s first retirement last time out.

These two S2000 runners in rival car brands should provide some excellent entertainment on the super-fast stages as they vie for the bottom half of the top ten.

Jean-Pierre Damseaux/Andre Vermeulen (Total Evolution Toyota RunX S2000) have suffered four non-finishes from five starts and the Somerset West driver is desperate to put the run of bad luck behind him as he celebrates a year since his first overall win.

Japie Van Niekerk/Robin Houghton (New Africa Developments Toyota RunX S2000) head to the Osram Rally fresh from their best finish of the year last time out and will be aiming to at least equal their 5th place on the VW Rally.

Fernando Rueda/Cobus Vrey (Team Total Toyota RunX S2000), like Joubert and Botes in their first season of S2000 rallying, have endured a tough season with mechanical problems blunting their challenge but given a clean run, can expect to finish well inside the top ten.

Rounding out the S2000 entry should be the Rally Chicks Volkswagen Polo of Lola and Megan Verlaque, fresh from their outing in the Zimbabwe Rally, the final round of the African Rally Championship which the siblings have been contesting alongside the domestic championship. In their three outings locally, they have accumulated 29 points, the same as Rueda

Hutchinson and Coetzee claimed a maiden Class A7 win on the Volkswagen Rally and the momentum seems to have shifted in favour of the former off-road champion, who will push hard on the final events to try and bring the class title Toyota’s way.

The reigning class champions Chris de Wit and Dean Redelinghuys (Team Total Toyota RunX A7) have finished just two events and have ten points to their credit, having failed to even start the first two rounds with engine problems. De Wit will be back up to speed sooner rather than later, but the year is a write-off from a championship defense point of view.

In Class A6, three Team Total Toyota teams are fighting for the title with newcomer to the class this year, Rodney Visagie and Carolyn Swan just edging ahead by three points in their RunX after taking their 3rd class win of the year, while Mohammed Moosa/Grant Martin, with two wins, are making heavy weather of what should have been a relatively easy year in their class A6 Team Total Toyota Auris.

The Auris made its debut in both S2000 and Class A6 guise on the Osram Rally last year and in the intervening 12 months have both proven to be a big step forward over the superseded RunX model. Moosa has been affected by some mechanical problems and punctures but remains the favourite for title honours.

Craig Trott/Robbie Coetzee (Total RunX A7) are a further six points behind but what they lack in outright pace, the current class champion driver makes up for in reliability.

Gugu Zulu and Carl Peskin remain in the class A5

championship lead in spite of retiring their BP Ultimate Volkswagen CitiGolf from the Volkswagen Rally last month.

The 2007 class champions have a six point advantage over the identical CitiGolf of Andre Cleenwerck/Des de Fortier who took line honours in PE last month. Cleenwerck, with two wins to his name, is tied on points with the massively improved Vusi Mabanga/Shaun Visser.

Mabanga and Visser stormed their Team Total Toyota Yaris to their first class win on the Sasol Rally and have been regular visitors to the podium this year and have recorded just one non-finish from the opening round. Mabanga could well take the class runner-up spot in the title race with a good blend of pace and reliability.

Falling away rapidly is the teenager Morne van Rensburg/ Dewald Hattingh (GC Diesel Volkswagen CitiGolf A5) after two back-to-back non-finishes. The talented youngster needs to finish the year with a strong run of results to get back on terms with the leading class trio.

Ashley Haigh Smith/Hilton Auffrey (React Toyota Yaris A5) continue to make solid progress as the Cape Town schoolboy learns the ropes. Piet Bakkes/Paul van Wyk (Sasol Komatipoort Volkswagen CitiGolf A5) are quick and are one point behind Van Rensburg in the title chase.

The Sasol Toyota Yaris will miss the Osram Rally after being written off by Riyad Jaffer on the Volkswagen Rally.

The Production Car Championship and class N4 titles have already been won by the dominant Sasol/Konica Minolta Subaru Impreza pair of Charl Wilken/Greg Godrich, the defending champions taking a perfect five out of five wins in their category and class. The harder their opposition tried, the more they failed to match the stunning pace Wilken and the Subaru set.

The Sasol Subaru has a bigger restrictor and with the titles locked away, Wilken and Godrich are going to try to claim a few podium places in the final three rounds of the year. It is

not an impossibility, for Wilken ended second overall in the opening round in KwaZulu Natal and lead the Volkswagen Rally until the fifth stage.

With Visser du Plessis out of the championship with a sports injury, Mike Nathan and Derek Jacobs are making an assault on second place in the Class N4 championship standings in their AWI Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, seen just twice this season as Nathan concentrates on the Western Cape Regional Championship, where they are second in the standings.

Tjaart Coetzee and former rally winner Etienne Lourens will be out in the SAC Trucks Subaru Impreza STI, where Coetzee will be looking for valuable experience on this specialist event.

Coetzee claimed a career best production car podium on the Sasol Rally and should have followed that up twice more but the car has let him down on the last two occasions.

Mike Nathan and Derek Jacobs are expected to take the Osram Rally start ramp in their AWI Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. The Cape Town businessman has calculated that he can still end second in the class N4 championship standings, where he is two points behind Coetzee after electing to contest the Western Cape Regional Championship after the first two nationals this season.

Dave Compton and Pierre Jordaan should have wrapped up the Class N3 championship on the last round but a very rare engine failure on the Sasol Toyota RunX delayed the celebrations one more month. With four wins from five starts, Compton has been keeping the Class A6 runners honest as he snaps at their heels and should continue his run of good form and take the class title on the Osram Rally.

The seven-stage Osram Rally starts in Lady Grey at 8am and immediately heads for the infamous 42km-long Joubert’s Pass stage, last used over a decade ago. A quick remote service follows before teams tackle the Clanville stage (30km) before heading back to Barkly East for another service opportunity.

SS3, Vaalhoek, is a relatively short stage at 14km, followed immediately by Wartrail which is 41km long. A final service opportunity in Barkly East precedes the final three stages, Bokspruit and Bottelnek at 17 and 18km in length respectively before a crowd pleasing finale at the Barkly East Showgrounds at just 1,4km in length.

- Credit: Sasol Oils South Africa

MORE FIERCE ACTION

IN STORE ON ULSTER LANES THIS WEEKEND

Action at the front of this weekend’s Toddsleap.com Ulster International Rally may be the focus of everyone’s attention, but there is loads of intrigue and interest in the battles for other categories in the fifth round of the MSA British Rally Championship too.

Three teams are currently striving to add the prestigious MSA British Teams Rally Championship trophy to their cabinets, the current leader Pirelli TEG Sport’s number one Impreza driver Mark Higgins, also jointly leads the Driver’s title chase.

The family-run team led the Teams’ Championship on the first event back in March, briefly handing the reins to JRM Lico, when current Pirelli Star Driver Adam Gould ended the Pirelli Rally in a Kielder ditch.

Team JRM Lico initially put up a strong fight, with Stuart Jones and David Bogie taking good points in Mitsubishis on round one. Daniel Sigurdarson stepped in to drive Jones’ car on the Pirelli where the team took the lead, moving eleven points ahead. Unfortunately the Teams’ title has since slipped away from the Chesterfield outfit and despite enlisting 1996 BRC Champion Gwyndaf Evans in a second Evo 10, David Bogie will be the only driver scoring points on the Ulster, Evans too late to register.

The final team in the hunt has succumbed to a reduction in available points’ scorers too. The Revolution Wheels Rally Team struggled in the early stages of the Championship. Rob Swann breaking their duck on the Pirelli, but Euan Thorburn and Geoff Jones’ partnership was short-lived, Jones only stepping in for one event. Thorburn now takes on the mantle of sole Revolution Wheels driver on the Ulster, making the quest for the trophy extremely difficult.

Martin McCormack’s “home” BRC event will be his opportunity to take a hat-trick of MSA British Junior Rally Championship victories, having been top youngster on both tarmac events this year.

Second in the race for the MSA gold flag award, which will be presented at the Royal Automobile Club’s Pall Mall headquarters, is Tom Walster. He won the first event, but has taken a while to get used to his new Clio R3 and will hope that perseverance on the Isle of Man has helped his set up for the Northern Irish lanes.

The only other driver to take a Junior win this year is current Fiesta SportTrophy UK and Ireland leader Craig Breen. He won on the gravel of the Pirelli Rally, but has had a couple of non finishes and will need to stay focused to keep in touch with the leaders.

The reigning Pirelli Star Driver Adam Gould continues to make a good fist of his 2009 prize drive, although the momentum of his excellent third place on the Jim Clark Rally was somewhat diminished with a big crash on the Isle of Man. Nevertheless his stage times have been quite astonishing considering this is his first season in a four wheel drive car and the Pirelli TEG Sport team will be looking for his contribution towards Teams’ points as well as further improvement on the Ulster.

The rally will see another driver added to the four existing

nominations of Keith Cronin, Craig Breen, Euan Thorburn and Alastair Fisher. These four young drivers have all proved their potential to the panel of judges and will go forward to the end of season shoot-out, a maximum of nine finalists in with a shout by the end of the season.

Tom Walster leads the BRC’s Rally 3 class, but has scored in two different cars to take the two wins and second place, which have made the bulk of his points haul. He swapped back to his Fiesta for the gravel of the Pirelli to save the new car, but with two tarmac events under his belt, he will be hoping to hold off not just the BRC R3 drivers, but the Clio Euro Trophy runners on the Ulster.

A massive thirty points adrift, Craig Breen needs to win the class on this and the final event in Yorkshire to stand a chance of being in the running. But his goal is fourfold in Ulster; he not only needs to concentrate on the BRC class and Junior title, but he could win the Irish FST on the Antrim lanes and must hold on to his UK FST lead too, truly a tall order.

The only other driver to have won in the R3 class is Finnish hot-shot Matti Rantanen. He has led on each of the four rallies, but over exuberance and lack of experience on British events has led to some spectacular exits in his more conventional two litre production Clio. With an amazing fifth place on the recent Rally Finland, the ninth round of the World Rally Championship, he should be on a high and able to push hard for a win.

Cumbrian Kris Hall has set a storming pace in his Fiesta too, but ended two events off the road and languishes towards the bottom of the points table. He unfortunately managed two crashes on the Isle of Man, one before the start of the rally, the second a proper roll on the first stage.

An excellent third in R3, Steve Graham also continues to battle Fin McCaul for the Diesel Rally Cup, Graham taking first blood when McCaul had transmission problems. McCaul won on the Pirelli but both failed to score on the tarmac of the Jim Clark, the Isle of Man netting win number two for brothers Steve and Tony.

Finally a local tip is young Omagh driver Mark Donnelly who has had a difficult first year in the BRC. He was fourth in R3 on the season opener, but having missed one round and failed to finish on two more, he holds unlucky thirteenth in the standings. However since he lives on the rally’s doorstep and has set some good stage times this year, he is certainly worth keeping an eye on over the Ulster Rally weekend.

The Toddsleap.com Ulster International Rally starts in Antrim town centre on Friday afternoon, running into the darkness of the evening before re-starting bright and early on Saturday.

The finish ceremony will take place back in Antrim at around 6pm after 127 miles of cracking action on some of the most challenging roads in the British Rally Championship.

- Credit: rallybrc.co.uk