Classified Tel: 0208 267 5355 motorsport-news.co.uk July 15 2009 15

“George Collister had to overcome brake problems” Isle of Man Trophy Rally, page 42

Photos: Jakob Ebrey and Writtle Photographic jerry Organisers nearing Kris Hall will fight Rally GB settlement for Pirelli Star Drive Rally GB officials were understood to be closing on a settlement deal with the Welsh Assembly williams Government when MN went to press on Monday evening. VIEW FROM THE WORLD stage Event organisers International Motor Sports instigated legal action against the Welsh Assembly Government for terminating its sponsorship of the WRC qualifier two years ahead of schedule. Why we need Rally GB chief executive Andrew contenders Coe said progress had been made during a meeting between the two Hall ready to fight Keith Cronin (Ireland): Age: 22 parties last week but stopped short Car: Mitsubishi Lancer E9 Ari as president of confirming that a resolution Kris Hall says he has nothing to “There’s no point fearing Kris Hall (UK): Age: 18 Car: had been reached. fear after learning the names of anybody, I’ve just got to do the Ford Fiesta ST “We are still in discussion with the seven drivers he will do battle best job I can,” said Hall, 19. Victor Henriksson (Sweden): Dear Ari, the WAG and we are hoping to against to qualify for the Pirelli “Having Victor [Henriksson] Age: 21 Car: Ford Fiesta ST I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you are standing for the make an announcement later this Star Driver Europe Shoot-Out in there is good because he’ll be in a Anders Kjaer (Norway): Age: 23 FIA presidency. week,” said Coe. Austria in September. Fiesta and will give me somebody Car: Impreza WRX We meet only occasionally these days but once or twice I Last week, it emerged that the In addition to Ireland, which to compare my times against.” Joonas Lindroos (): have, like many others, urged you to take that step although launch of the ticket offer to fans has selected Keith Cronin as its The format of the event has Age: 24 Car: Honda Civic Type-R you always counselled caution. had been put back to July 22, while representative, six other national been finalised. After a fitness Maris Neiksans (Latvia): Age: Then last month, when we spent a day in Brussels as you talks were still ongoing. “We’re associations in northern Europe assessment and interview by a 25 Car: Mitsubishi Lancer E9 left the , you said the timing might now confident [the late launch] is not have nominated candidates to panel of judges on Wednesday Vytautas Svedas (Lithuania): be right for a bid. going to be detrimental to the chase the five spaces during the July 29, candidates will tackle a Age: 26 Car: Mitsubishi Lancer “But we cannot force these things,” you added. “We must event,” said Coe. qualifying event in Finland on 2.29-mile stage in Ruuhimäki the E9 always wait to see what happens.” July 29-30 (see panel). Denmark following day. Drivers will have Ott Tänak (): Age: 20 Well, now you have nailed your colours to the mast, so to and Iceland were invited to select another interview before the five Car: WRX speak, and many of us in motorsport will have a smile on UK’s Rally of Nations a contender but did not do so. qualifiers are revealed. their face as a result. Even though some of our political views might differ slightly I bid comes unstuck know you to be a man of straightforwardness and moral The United Kingdom’s strength. challenge on the inaugural And I believe you will be a unifying force, having a character that embraces charisma and a presidential air, Rally of Nations in Mexico last Higgins fights illness to take Chinese glory Pritchard sets sights weekend fell apart after just five while retaining the common touch and ability to negotiate on Spanish assault without rancour – a combination that has been notoriously stages. David Higgins fought the effects But he continued on day two and lacking for some years. Phillip Morrow and Damien of severe food poisoning to win overcame a deficit of 6.7 seconds Jason Pritchard will skip the final You will, of course, face opposition: either from Max Connolly damaged the front of the second round of the Chinese heading into the last stage to beat event of the Racing Mosley or, should he stand down, another candidate. their Mitsubishi Lancer E9 on championship, the asphalt-based Finn Jarkko Miettinen, driving a Trophy UK to contest Spain’s I’m told that likely names could be Michel Boeri of the stage one, before Niall McShea Huairou Rally last week. similar Mitsubishi Lancer E9, by round of the world championship Automobile Club de Monaco and , formerly of and Marshall Clarke were Higgins and co-driver Ieuan 3.6s. instead. and Ferrari. There may also be another waiting in sidelined on stage five with Thomas fell ill in the build-up to “I was aching all over and really The Builth Wells resident was the shadows. broken transmission. the event and Higgins feared he thought I’d have to stop,” said due to tackle the Le Touquet Rally Todt would be Mosley’s favourite but to my mind carries “It’s disappointing but we had would have to withdraw after the Higgins. “But we didn’t give in in on October 3/4, the too much Ferrari baggage in Formula One and has too much trouble with the clutch,” said opening leg, which he completed and gave it everything to win.” same weekend as the WRC event. French history in the WRC. However impartial he might McShea, who ran as high as in second position, when his Higgins’ next event is the However, he has decided to alter strive to be, no-one would believe it. seventh. “We finished the street condition worsened. Fogang Rally on August 25/26. his plans. Boeri is, I believe, more of a big fish in a small pond than a stage and we started the next “It all depends on budget but I world figure. stage but we broke down again can gain so much from going to You, on the other hand, have ten years’ political experience and we were left in the middle of Spain,” said the 21-year-old C2-R2 at the highest level, a world championship to your name and the stage so it was impossible to Max driver. an abiding interest in all aspects of motor sport. continue.” Meanwhile, Pritchard and Those years as an MEP have given you many invaluable Irish co-driver Martin Brady fellow MSA British Rally Elite contacts and knowledge of how to navigate the system to was drafted in to navigate USA member Adam Gould will motorsport’s best advantage. You should impress these team driver Piotr Wiktorczyk undertake the recce for Rally achievements on the voters. And if Mosley does seek re-election you must not falter. but they retired after rolling Finland later this month as part Given how power is currently exercised in world motorsport, I their Subaru Impreza. of an opportunity arranged by doubt that anyone else would have the courage to oppose him. Austria’s Manfred Stohl the UK governing body’s training It will not be easy. The election process is deliberately emerged as the top driver but scheme. complex and clearly favours an incumbent or the candidate the team prize went to the Even food poisoning “It’s one of the hardest events preferred by a retiring president. You may not win first time. Spanish squad of Dani Solà and couldn’t stop Higgins there is so it will be great to get the But at least you would show there is another way. Xevi Pons. experience,” Pritchard added. I know you believe that people in public life should conduct themselves impeccably and try to do so yourself. Bird looks to spread his wings with new challenge in the WRC That is why many of us think that, with you as president, world motorsport Paul Bird will enter the final two WRC team manager Paul now. We are looking at options for could break with its questionable recent rounds of the World Rally Risbridger to oversee his rally next season.” past. Championship after turning his activities. Despite winning the Pirelli Tour Although it’s true that for us in the WRC Mosley hasn’t done much harm back on the Pirelli MSA Gravel “The level of competition in the of Cumbria and Manx Telecom series, a move that could lead to a UK has dropped off considerably Rally, Bird only has a slim chance since his ‘rotation’ fiasco, constant full WRC campaign next season. and has left me a little disillusioned of winning the ANCRO-run series, confrontation in F1 rocks the boat all Bird, who has commissioned M- so I need to spread my wings,” said which resumes on Saturday’s Pro- round. We need a different approach. Sport to build him a new Ford the 42-year-old Bird. “We have a Art Signs Swansea Bay Rally. The Go for it, Ari: pedal to the metal! Focus World Rally Car, will tackle good team in place to look after our championship has been thinly Yours, ever the rallies in Spain and Britain this commitments to the Kawasaki supported this season with only a October. World Superbike Team and I have handful of World Rally Cars [email protected] Bird wants overseas outings He has recruited ex-Hyundai Paul Risbridger working for me competing regularly. www.rallyinsurance.co.uk For all your motor sport insurance needs in 2009 On-Event Accident Damage covered for rally cars Log on to our website and get the latest offers or call us now on 01943 884555 We guarantee to beat any genuine reasonable quotation. Motorsport Insurance Services Limited is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority.