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The MSA British Rally Elite is an innovative national Motorsport training scheme endorsed by the MSA for the top young drivers and co-drivers in the UK. The aim is to train them into the best possible package for World Rally Championship teams and aid their transition from British Rallying into the World Rally Championship.
The scheme is the brainchild of former World Rally Champion co-driver Robert Reid, who realised that something needed to be done to assist young British competitors.
The Elite program focuses primarily on Sports Science elements using the services of experts form Edinburgh University. These include Sports Psychology, Sports Physiology, Fitness, Nutrition and Injury Prevention. Other topics being covered include Sponsorship and Marketing, Media and Promotion, Specific driver and co-driver skills, Competition Strategy and World Rally Team Visits.
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FISHER FINISHES FIRST IN FIESTAS
21 April 2008
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Members of the MSA British Rally Elite scheme came through the battle of attrition that was the Pirelli International Rally with flying colours.
Only 26 of the 48 starters made it to the finish ramp in Carlisle City centre as the first British Rally Championship event of the year provided a stern test for competitors. However, MSA British Rally Elite member Alastair Fisher stormed to a win in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK championship to put his title challenge back on track. The Enniskillen driver had been unlucky in his previous outings in the Fiesta this year - especially having suffered mechanical retirement while leading round one - however he experienced no such problems in the Kielder forest to take the top spot on the podium.
Two MSA British Rally Elite crews blasted their way into the top-10 of the British Rally Championship with strong performances over the weekend. Jonny Greer, accompanied by MSA British Rally Academy co-driver Jonny Hart, claimed eighth overall, while the Elite duo of James Wozencroft and Chris Ridge finished in 10th spot. Wozencroft and Ridge were unlucky not to finish higher in only their third outing in a Group N car, but suffered a puncture on stage 11 and lost three minutes.
Elite member Adam Gould was another to fall victim to the harsh conditions, being forced to retire with broken suspension after running as the leading R2 class driver for much of the event. This performance was all the more impressive as Gould was using a new car - a Group N Clio - and was also being accompanied by a new co-driver in the shape of Tim Line.
Members of the MSA British Rally Academy all coped well with the trials and tribulations of the rally to finish highly in their classes. Martin McCormack came home third in the C2R2 Cup and second in the BRC Junior Championship despite being plagued by punctures, while Nick Rowland finished a strong second in the inaugural round of the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup. Academy co-driver Gareth Roberts took second place on the podium in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK series, with the Academy duo of Kris Hall and Seb Marshall placed sixth. FSTUK round one winner Stevie Brown’s title challenge was dented along with his car when he was forced to retire on the last stage following a high-speed accident.
All the MSA British Rally Elite and Academy members were supported on the event by scheme Performance Director Robert Reid and Edinburgh University Sport Psychologist Hugh Richards. They were on hand to offer advice on preparation and performance at each service throughout the weekend.
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