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Top rally co-driver Rob Fagg faces a new challenge
on his home event, next weeks Rally Isle of Man,
guiding one of the fastest men ever witnessed on the
islands famous closed roads!
After tasting success for the past two years on the
event, being part of the fastest crew outright, the
36 year old will make the step out of the TEG Sport
Subaru Impreza four wheel drive and into a DEN
Motorsport built Vauxhall powered rear wheel drive
Escort MKII.
While the car is impressive itself, the driver's
Island pedigree (and fame) is still more so, albeit
on two not four wheels.
The news that TT superstar Michael Dunlop will
return to the scene of so many triumphs has the
islands rally fans eagerly awaiting his appearance.
The 11-times TT winner's rally career is only just
getting started however. Dunlop contested the
Donegal International Rally back in June for the
second time and although he did not finish the
event, and suffered some issues when running, the
bug had obviously bitten and the chance to compete
on the famous stages the Manx has to offer was too
much of a draw.
With that in mind Dunlop moved to ensure he
complimented his own ability, that of Barry McKenna
and the Den Motorsport
team by securing multiple and reigning Manx
Champion, former British and Canadian Champion
co-driver Fagg to guide him round the 170 stage
miles over two and a half days.
“Originally I
turned down the seat with Michael as plans with
Arron (Newby) were unclear, but as the closing date
for entries got closer it was decided we would miss
the event” explained Fagg. “At that stage I thought
I would be watching from the hedges, but as word got
round we were put in touch and an agreement reached
to compete together.”
The challenge this year will be to get Michael round
and not so much pushing for outright honours, but
the pressure will certainly be the same if not more,
but one Rob is looking forward to.
“It will certainly be an experience to sit alongside
Michael but it will bring its own challenges with
the challenge of the Manx roads” commented Rob.
“Michael is still a relative novice in rallying and
listening to being told what to do as opposed to
being alone like when on the bike. Hopefully I can
help his learning and we can work together to reach
the finish of one of the most testing events in the
UK rallying calendar."
The event gets
underway on Thursday evening with crews going head
to head on the Villa Marina spectator stage before
tackling a further three stages on the east side of
the island in the fading light and possibly
darkness.
Following an overnight halt the crews will resume
Friday for the longest day of the event totalling
just shy of 95 competitive miles. Those miles
including the famous Little London and Druidale
sections, as well as two runs through the islands
ancient capital Castletown.
Saturday
brings the event to a close but not before another
64 miles are contested with the final stage offering
Michael the chance to drive on some familiar roads.
The stage running across the mountain from the
Bungalow to Brandywell and later on from
Cronk-na-Mona back to the TT Grandstand.
"It'll be quite a thrill to be able to say I've
competed alongside Michael Dunlop as we raced along
the famous Glencrutchery Road", says Rob. "But I'm
also very aware that is the final mile of this long,
testing event. Bring on the challenge!"
Rob is supported in 2015 by Robert Graham & Co
Quantity Surveyors, Nicky Grist Motorsport (www.nickygrist.com)
and Fastime Stopwatches (www.astopwatch.com) |
