Following a recent break from competition, Rob Fagg will return to action this weekend as he contests the second round of the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship, the Manx National Rally. The 33 year old Kirk Michael co-driver will be back alongside 18 year old Carnforth driver Arron Newby in the TEG Sport prepared and run Subaru Impreza. 

The pair come into the event as the current leaders of the Manx Championship following their victory on the opening round, the Chris Kelly Memorial Rally, back in February but they are under no illusion that this weekend offers a tough challenge with a strong entry as the event is also the second round of the REIS Get Connected MSA Asphalt Championship.

“The event has attracted a great entry, the best in recent years not in terms of just numbers but quality. It’s great to see Mel (Evans) and Paul (Bird) back to fight it out at the front as well as strong representation from the MSA Asphalt Championship. This will give us some real bench marks to compare ourselves to during the event” commented Fagg.

 “The recce period is as important as the event itself, we need to ensure that the pace notes cover everything we will encounter come the competitive stages. This means covering any standing water, mud etc as well as how to cope in the event of the fog the island is renowned for” explained Rob.

Last years edition was when Arron really came to the attention on the national scene, scoring a breakthrough top 15 result in a Skoda Fabia on his first ever closed roads event up against much more powerful cars. He cemented his pedigree with a top five finish back on the island on Rally Isle of Man last September before the sensational victory in February, an event that incorporated some of the stages that will be used this weekend.

While the TEG Sport pairing start at 15, the event will be lead away by Welshman and three-time winner Evans followed by two-time winner Bird. Reigning MSA Asphalt Champion Damian Cole (Focus WRC) goes at three with John Stone (Skoda Fabia) next up. The current Manx Champion Nigel Cannell (Evo 9) goes at six, John Indri (Darrian) and Andrew Leece (Evo 6) all of whom will be out to get there Manx series underway after non-scores on round one.

The Manx National Rally gets underway on Friday at 6:45pm with eight stages taking place totalling 22 miles of the 115 competitive stage miles. Included is a tricky test through Glen Roy, fast run around Maughold, coupled with two spectator runs through the northern town of Ramsey and a new stage Ballure taking in a section of the TT course.

Saturday sees the bulk of the mileage and another 12 stages for the crews to get their teeth into. A run down Druidale opens the day followed by the challenge of the Curraghs before a run up the famous Tholt-y-will stage brings the crews back to service via a run down Creg-na-baa. A repeat of these stages will be completed before two loops of the Braaid and Baldwin stages, overall a cracking route and challenge for all those competing.

The team are supported in 2013 by Pirelli, TEG Sport (www.tegsport.co.uk), VP Racing Fuels, Speedline Corse, Cobra Seats, Schroth Racing, PIAA, Ravenol, Border Embroideries and Nicky Grist Motorsport.

Rob is supported in 2012 by Robert Graham & Co Quantity Surveyors, Nicky Grist Motorsport (www.nickygrist.com) and Fastime Stopwatches (www.astopwatch.com)