Puzzled design wins Wales Rally GB Art Car 2006
David Harkus, a pupil of Barry Comprehensive School, Glamorgan, has been announced as the winner of Wales Rally GB Art Car 2006, a government-backed project launched in September by Wales Rally GB, the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship for 2006. The competition gave children across Britain the chance to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Andy Warhol, by designing the livery of one of the rally cars competing in Wales from 1-3 December.
Aged 14, David created a design called “Puzzled” that will be appearing on Kevin Davies’ Ford Fiesta as he competes in the UK round of the World Rally Championship. The winning artist, along with his fellow classmates, will have the opportunity to see his design being applied to the car on Friday 17th November at their school and will meet the rally team to discover exactly what it takes to transform a car into a world-class racing machine.
David has also won a VIP pass for himself and his family to watch Kevin in action as he tests his skills and faces the elements on the stages of Wales Rally GB 2006. Unlike other types of motorsport, rally cars compete across extremely challenging terrain, which will see the Art Car tackle Welsh forests and valleys, as well as Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
The Art Car competition was a hugely successful initiative, receiving substantial support from government and motorsport officials, including Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Education and Sir Christopher Frayling, rector of the Royal College of Arts (RCA). Competition organisers saw hundreds of colourful and imaginative entries pour in from schools across Britain. In a statement, the Secretary of State commented: “I welcome initiatives such as the Wales Rally GB Art Car 2006 and the opportunities they provide for children to be creative. This competition supports the work young people are doing in Art and Design and will help them to develop and demonstrate their artistic skills.”
David joins a number of previous ‘art cars’ designed by world-famous artists, such as Pop Art legend Andy Warhol, who designed the BMW M1 Art Car. “Puzzled” was chosen for its uniqueness and vibrant colours. With a keen eye for art, particularly for the work of his favourite artist, Julian Opie, David jumped at the chance of entering Wales Rally GB Art Car 2006, after watching the rally last year with his parents: “I thought the rally was very exciting when I saw it and I really enjoyed watching my favourite car, the Suburu Impreza, so I can’t wait to go to this years rally and see the cars in action, especially my design! I created “Puzzled” because I thought it would be interesting and nothing like any of the cars in the competition.”
Andrew Coe, chief executive of International Motor Sport (IMS), organisers of WRGB, stated: “Art Car has been a fantastic opportunity for all children, bringing further pride and passion to Wales Rally GB, through the allegiance of education, art and motorsport. We are extremely pleased with the winning design and are looking forward to seeing it all come to life.”
To find out more about the Championship and to see the Art Car in action, visit walesrallygb.com where tickets can be purchased.
