Port Erin based co-driver Rob Fagg is currently in China tackling the fourth round of the Chinese National Rally championship with former British and Production World Champion Martin Rowe.

It’ll be the first time that Rob has competed outside of the UK and the first time that he has co-driven Martin, himself a former Manx resident. Martin has already won two rounds of the championship and the event, which takes place this Wednesday and Thursday, could be a major step towards him winning the title.

Irishman Rory Kennedy has partnered him on those previous events but is unavailable and Rob was delighted to receive the call. ‘It came completely out of the blue only last Sunday’, said Rob just before travelling to Kunming, the events’ host city, last week. ‘It has been a rush to get all the arrangements made, but it is just too good an opportunity to miss’.

It took the pair almost two days to travel to Kunming via Hong Kong, and they then spent last Thursday and Friday testing the KST Ralliart Hong Kong teams’ Mitsubishi Evo 8 on different sections of roads, a test that Rob reported had gone well.

The reconnaissance of the stages for the rally itself was undertaken earlier this week prior to a ceremonial start in the city centre on Tuesday night.

The rally proper gets underway at 6.30am on Wednesday (21^st September) for six stages, before a further four complete the event the following day

It is a real step up for Rob, who says, ‘It’ll be by far the biggest challenge of my career, but one I’m looking forward to. It’s a real chance to progress in the sport to a higher level.’

An additional link between the pair is the Manx Motorsport Youth Trust. Rob is one of the Trust’s 2005 beneficiaries, while Martin is a Patron, visiting the island earlier in the year to undertake a coaching course.

It’s a busy time for the 26 year old. Upon his return to the UK Rob will begin preparations for next months penultimate round of the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship where he and Shropshire’s James Wozencroft can secure the inaugural ‘Stars of the Future‘ title.

Rob is supported in 2005 by the Isle of Man Sports Council, Manx Motorsport Youth Trust, Isle of Man Bank Scholarship, Integrated Capabilities, Patterson Pacenotes, www.Mexperience.com and the Isle of Man Steam Packet.

In addition Rob particularly wishes to thank Manx Telecom for giving him leave at such short notice, and is seeking additional sponsors. He can be contacted via email at robert@robertfagg.com or telephone (07624) 451232.