TO GET CONNECTED - WITH RALLYING
Show goers to Autosport International will be able to get up close to all the action of a World Rally team next January; the Get Connected! Hyundai World Rally Team is making an exclusive appearance at the show, held 8-11 January at the NEC, Birmingham.
The Get Connected! squad will be bringing two Hyundai Accent World Rally Cars (WRC). Not only have the cars competed at WRC level with the factory Hyundai team between 2001-2003, but in recent seasons have been successfully campaigned nationally, by Get Connected! founder and mobile telecommunications businessman Damian Cole.
Cole narrowly missed out on the BTRDA (British Trial and Rally Drivers Association) Rally Series title this year, but still clinched the Welsh National Rally Championship, just as he did in 2007. Cole also won the Welsh Tarmac Championship for three consecutive years from 2000-2002, the only driver to win both championships.
The Hyundai Accent WRC is a popular privateer’s car, developing 300bhp from its turbocharged, sixteen-valve engine. A six-speed Xtrac gearbox and four-wheel-drive ensures a 0-60mph time in well under four seconds. Cole will be partnered by Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship frontrunner Stephen Petch Jr, driving a third Accent.
The Get Connected! team will also feature in the Live Action Arena, and are guaranteed to wow the crowds following their spectacular appearance at this year’s Rallycross Superprix at the Croft circuit in Yorkshire.
“We’ve attended Autosport International several times before, so participating in the Live Action Arena is an ideal tie-up with the show,” said Cole. “I’ll be using my asphalt-specification car in the Arena, whilst my gravel car will be on the stand; it’s being fully rebuilt in time for the show.”
“All motorsport avenues are represented at the show and it’s great to see rallying included with Damian Cole’s Hyundai Accents, amongst others,” said Haymarket Exhibitions Show Director Ian France. “Their inclusion in the Live Action Arena show means that, whatever your motorsport preference, there’ll be something for everyone; rally fans certainly won’t be disappointed!”
