Kirk Michael co-driver Rob Fagg will get his local rally programme under way this weekend as he contests the Manx Auto Sport promoted Chris Kelly Memorial Rally sponsored by MANN Construction. Twelve months ago the 33 year old won the event alongside Bury’s John Cope in a Subaru Impreza WRC after a fierce battle which saw the top four separated by just nine seconds at the finish.

The event is the opening round of the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship, a series which Fagg is a previous winner off and for 2013 he will be hoping for further success as he competes alongside 18 year old Carnforth driver Arron Newby.

The pairing first teamed up last year in September for the DUKE Stages which ran as part of Rally Isle of Man, and duly took fifth place as Arron made his closed road debut in a four wheel drive turbo Subaru Impreza in a learning drive for the youngster.

Following September’s result and a chat with Manxman Mark Higgins, it was decided that Arron would contest a full programme of events on the island as a great learning ground and it was at this point the agreement was reached with Rob to continue in the passenger seat.

Arron and Robert Graham & Co Quantity Surveyors supported Rob will use the same TEG Sport prepared and run Impreza as they did last year. This car was previously run by the team for Mark Higgins in the British Championship taking outright wins.

“TEG Sport is a fantastic team and I have had the pleasure in working with them on a number of occasions” explained Rob. “They prepare a great car and hopefully with that as a grounding we should have the platform to work from this season.”

When drawn on his young pilot Fagg was just as complementary.

“At only 18 years of age Arron has competed already within the British Champion and made the jump into a four wheel drive car with success as well. He is keen to learn and happy to take advice from those around him and turn that into solid results. Hopefully we can build on the result last September and reduce the gap to the front local drivers.”

Although the event will be the first for the pairing together this season, both have already got their seasons underway. Fagg has recently returned from a successful last minute trip to Canada where he took victory alongside Pat Richard on the Rallye Perce-Neige. While Arron has warmed up for the season with a sixth placed finish in tricky conditions on the Jack Frost Stages followed by a podium finish on the K & R Mitsubishi Stages.

Prior to the event the pair will have the chance to get reacquainted as they have the opportunity to undertake a reconnaissance of the stages. During this the pace notes will be fine tuned to ensure they are the best come the challenge this event poses.