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This week see’s Isle of Man resident Rob Fagg head
west again as he travels to Canada to contest the
second round of the Canadian Rally Championship, a
series he currently leads following victory on the
opening round back in February, the snowy Peirce
Neige event. He will team up with former champion
Patrick Richard again as the pair compete in the
Subaru Canada Impreza on the Rallye Baie des
Chaleurs based out of New Richmond.
With just one weeks notice prior to the last round
following a late call up, there was an amount of
uncertainly for both 34 year old Rob and Pat having
never met before they both arrived at the event
never mind competed together. Add to that that the
event was on snow and ice, a surface that Rob had
not competed on before, there were a number of
factors against the crew in the early stages.
But despite this they gelled quickly and got to
grips with the conditions and by the end of the
event they finished on the top spot of the podium to
begin the series in the best possible manner and
reward all the last minute prep and leave Robert
Graham & Co Quantity Surveyors supported Rob very
happy indeed.
“The whole experience was amazing although stressful
in the early stages with only a week to get
everything sorted” explained Fagg. “Martin (Rowe)
had the confidence in me to put my name forward to
Pat and that gave me great confidence, despite the
fact that competing on snow/ice with no studs was a
bit daunting. The team had a great event and it was
the best possible start to the season.”
But that’s in the past and next up is the Rallye
Baie des Chaleurs, a gravel event taking place over
two days with 20 stages totalling approximately
160km in the New Richmond area and Rob is very
excited to be heading back out to Canada.
“After a brief quiet
period follow Peirce Neige I heard from Pat and we
discussed the next round and it is great that we
have been able to come to an agreement to compete
together again” explained Rob, “The preparations
have been a lot more laid back compared to the last
event and I am really looking forward to working
with the Rocket Rally Subaru Canada team again.”
Fagg leaves the island Tuesday evening ahead of his
flight out of the UK on Wednesday morning to Halifax
in Nova Scotia after a stop over in Philadelphia.
But that’s not the end of the travelling with a 6
hour car journey North to New Richmond on Thursday
and on arrival its all go with registration for the
event and the pre-event reconnaissance on Friday.
With crews allowed two passes of each stage, Richard
and Fagg will use this time to once again become
acquainted with each other and prepare the pace
notes they hope will guide them to another strong
points finish.
The event gets under way on at noon on Saturday 29th
with the first leg concluding around 4pm. After a 2
hour break crews will resume battle with leg two
drawing to a close approx 10:15pm. The third and
final leg kicks off at 11am on Sunday with the
results due at 4pm.
The main competition will once again be in the shape
of reigning champion Antonie L’Estage co-driver by
Pat’s sister Nathalie in their Mitsubishi Lance Evo
X and Leo Urlichich with Irishman Martin Brady on
the notes competing in a Subaru Impreza. Both
looking to get their season’s underway following
retirement on the opening round.
With a busy second half of the year ahead both in
the UK and Canada (not to mention a wedding to fit
in!), Rob is keen to hear from anyone who may be
able to support him for the remainder of the season.
“I have some great personal sponsors, and really
appreciate all of their help, and if anyone was
looking for someone to support then I’d really
welcome a call.”
Anyone interested can contact Rob on 07624 480101 or
by e-mail to
robert@robertfagg.com.
Rob is supported in 2012 by Robert Graham & Co
Quantity Surveyors, Nicky Grist Motorsport
(www.nickygrist.com)
and Fastime Stopwatches (www.astopwatch.com) |
