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Fagg
in Stars Championship Success
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Port Erin co-driver Rob
Fagg wrapped up the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship
'Stars of the Future' series this weekend. The 26-year-old Isle of
Man Bank Scholarship recipient made it a total whitewash, with five
wins from five starts in the championship for up to 1600cc cars.
Competing together with Ludlow ace James Wozencroft, the
Thompson Suzuki backed Ignis 1400 Kit Car was once again the class
of the field as they took yet another dominating victory, well over
three minutes ahead of their closest challenger on the Trackrod
Rally in North Yorkshire.
MSA
British Rally Elite driver James and Isle of Man Sports Aid
Foundation co-driver Robert were keen to get to the finish on the
Pickering based event, as a healthy points score would wrap up the
title for the Thompson Garages and Dunlop Tyres supported youngster.
Prior to arriving in Yorkshire, James and Robert had proved to be
the class of the field in the 'Stars' series, winning on all four
previous events after some scintillating performances in the
striking yellow Suzuki.
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Fellow
1400cc hotshot Neil Weaver had also entered the Trackrod Rally, but
the friendly Ludlow rival could not have any bearing on James's
quest for the title. As such, both James and Manx Motorsport
Youth Trust backed Rob wisely decided to ignore the times of the
Vauxhall Corsa driver, and instead they would drive the rally at
their own pace in order to achieve the result they required.
Little
would separate the two Shropshire chargers over the opening stages,
but
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James Wozencroft and Robert Fagg en route to BRC Stars of the Future
title
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Weaver
was soon forced to retire after breaking his suspension. As a
result, the steady Wozencroft moved into a healthy 'Stars' lead, and
showed maturity beyond his 21 years and he coolly and calmly
negotiated the often slippery North Yorkshire forests with consumate
ease. One final heart stopping moment occurred when the Ignis
coughed its way through a puddle of water near to the end of the
rally, but full power was soon regained and the popular crew were
able to make it back to the finish.
Fully deserving to take the title, James was a very happy man after
popping the champagne corks to celebrate a now unbeatable
championship points tally:
'Things
just could not have gone better today' said a delighted 'Wozie'.
'I must say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us this
season. In particular Dave Browning at Thompson Suzuki for
supporting us and giving Rob and myself the opportunity to win the
series. Dunlop have also been magnificent with their
tyre
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Team Thompson Suzuki and
friends celebrate Championship success
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support
and input, and a big thanks to our other sponsors and families for
supporting us every step of the way. Today was difficult as we
knew that a solid run to the finish would net us enough points to
secure the title, but at the same time, we wanted to have a good
battle with Neil (Weaver) if we could. Sadly for Neil he was
forced to retire, and after that we had a really good run through
the stages. Conditions were very tricky in places, but
the Dunlop's worked very well and the Suzuki Ignis performed
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very
strongly all day. We had a minor blip when the car hit a
puddle on the last forest stage, but apart from that it was
perfect. Hopefully we can make it a clean sweep of victories
in the Stars series on the Tempest Rally next month now!'.
Securing the co-drivers
title makes it three in three years for Rob, adding to his 2003
Manx Championship and 2004 ANCRO Clubman's titles:
'We
came in today knowing we had to finish and win the class to secure
the title' explained Rob. 'James has driven very maturely today in
the conditions and under the pressure, sometimes it is harder to
drive less than a 100% and so we tried are best to keep on a
committed pace. As James has said it's thanks to everyone that has
helped us this year, especially Dave Browning for putting James
and I together in the car and giving us the opportunity to win
this title.'
James and Rob will indeed
be aiming to end the year on a high on November 5th.
The Aldershot based Tempest Rally is the only round of the BRC in
southern England, and the pair will be keen to make it six wins
from six starts to round off a very successful season with the
Thompson Suzuki Rally Team
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
Robert Fagg Rallying
09/10/2005
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