Port Erin co-driver Rob Fagg made his debut in a Super 1600 specification Suzuki Ignis on the South of England Tempest Stages Rally (Nov 4th/5th), and the newly crowned BRC Stars of the Future Series Champion took the Super 1600 class win and a fine 10th overall in the process.

After Ludlow rally driver and MSA British Rally Elite member James Wozencroft secured the ex-Guy Wilks machine from Suzuki GB for the rally,  he and Manx Motorsport Youth Trust backed co-driver Fagg were looking forward to the Aldershot based event, final round of the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship.  After dominating the BRC Stars of the Future series in their Thompson Suzuki backed Suzuki Ignis 1400 Kit Car, the Tempest would see them get the chance to drive the ultimate spec Suzuki Super 1600 Ignis on the gravel stages.

Despite not being able to test the car prior to the event, James quickly got to grips

real test for James as he got acquainted with the new car, as the rally continued on the Saturday.  The 21 year old admitted that he was often changing down too often for some of the slow corners and losing speed onto the long straights as a result.  By the end of a totally trouble free rally, the Dunlop shod Ignis would claim 10th in the overall standings on the event, and a Super 1600 category win.  Understandably, both James and Rob were delighted with their first outing in such a potent machine:

 

'I must say an enormous thank you to Dave Browning of Thompson Suzuki and the guys at Suzuki GB for making this the perfect way to end a perfect season' said James after soaking the assembled crowds in champagne.  'The Super 1600 Ignis is just awesome to drive.  The handling, the power, the traction, the suspension, the braking - it is just amazing.  I've never driven anything quite like it before.  Our aim from this rally was to try and get into the Top 10, and in fairness we only just made it, but more importantly we learnt a great deal about the car and what it takes to drive a Super 1600 car.  Hopefully we'll get another chance to drive the car in the future if possible, as I'd love to see what the car can do with more time spent driving it.  This year has just flown by - we have learnt so much and achieved a great deal both at BTRDA and British Rally Championship level.  Its nice to think that we've managed to win our category on rallies within three different championship's this year, so I'm very content with that.'

 

James and the team will now concentrate their efforts on their plans for the 2006 season, which are well underway.  James will also be concentrating hard on his personal development programs developed as part of his inclusion in the MSA British Rally Elite program, designed to prepare the UK's finest selection of young rallying talent for progression to the World stage.

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

Jamie Edwards

07/11/2005