World-class co-driver Robert Reid steps in to train amateur
World Champion co-driver Robert Reid has stepped in to support journalist Franca Davenport’s race against time to reach international co-driver status. Reid co-drove for the late Richard Burns when the duo clinched the world title in 2001 and agreed to assist Davenport to prepare for Rally Ireland, the country’s first-ever World Championship event that takes place from 15 to 18 November, 2007.
Davenport only took up the challenge to co-drive for Sky Sport’s Tony Jardine in his Castrol Daily Telegraph Ford Focus early in October. With just two events behind her and three to cram in before her WRC debut, Robert Reid agreed to act urgently to ramp up the London based journalist’s rally training, advocating an intensive course at Silverstone Circuit’s Experience Centre.
Davenport has distinguished herself in the two national events she has finished so far for the team that is run by ProSpeed and supported by Kumho Tyres. The highlight was a trophy for second in class on the Bulldog Rally two weeks ago.
Reid, with 103 World Rallies and 277 stage wins on his CV, felt her rapid rise was something he could accelerate. “Franca is sharp,” he explained. “She has picked things up quickly, but time is against her as she is trying to climb a mountain in record time. A World Championship event is very different and things will hit her fast so we decided to intensify her training because I think she has enough experience not to be fazed.”
Davenport, from Chippenham in Wiltshire, is a freelance specialising in motoring and lifestyle journalism. She spent the day at Silverstone, the iconic home of the British Grand Prix, being put through her paces on the Northamptonshire circuit’s popular Rally Experience, giving her an insight into what it’s like to sit in both seats of a rally car to give her a broader understanding of the sport.
Following an intensive session with Reid, professional rally instructor Jason Sharpe – winner of the 1997 Peugeot 306 Challenge and fifth placed finisher in the ’96 British Rally Championship – led Franca in a briefing and some demonstration runs. She then took the wheel of the Silverstone Fiesta and was soon flicking the tail out with controlled hand brake turns. “I found it invigorating,” she said. “The tuition helped my own car control and also understanding what Tony will be going through as we compete for hours over the twists and turns of the narrow Irish lanes. My navigation work with Robert was illuminating. He passed on some great advice and tips and I was grateful and impressed that a World Champion had taken time out to help me. I know it will make a big difference when the intensity and speed of Rally Ireland suddenly hits us in a few short weeks time.”
Chris Ward the Chief Instructor at The Silverstone Experience Centre was happy to sign Franca’s certificate to say she had passed her Advanced British Association of Rally Schools test which, together with Reid’s intense navigation course, will earn her another vital signature towards the international upgrade of her licence. “She was very competent and passed with flying colours. I think she will be strong in the navigator’s seat on Rally Ireland,” commented rally instructor Sharpe. “I would also feel quite confident sitting beside her as a navigator in a rally if she was driving.”
Robert Reid was cautious with his praise as he is one of a handful of rally professionals to have seen the tortuous Rally Ireland stages. “This is a World Championship event with all the difficulties and peculiarities that rallies at this level can throw at you,” he said. “Tony and Franca have a very crammed schedule and this will be a very long event.
“Rally Ireland will be one of the toughest World Rally Championship events in recent history so they need all the preparation time they can get.”
The next event for the Castrol Daily Telegraph Rally Team will be the Cambrian Rally on the 3 November in North Wales when the team will tackle former RAC rally stages in the forests of Penmachno and Betys-y-Coed.
