It didn’t look promising for the infamous Hampshire Fire and Rescue Rally Team (HFRRT) this year when their sponsor had to pull out and withdraw all funding at the start of February. However, local company, Turbo Dynamics have stepped in at the last minute to rescue the team by announcing their sponsorship.
Turbo Dynamics Media Co-ordinator, Natasha Miller commented, “The Hants Fire and Rescue Rally Team are a group of dedicated professionals who are continually working to promote safety on our roads. They are not funded by public money and instead rely on sponsorship and self-funding.
“We were delighted to be approached for sponsorship this year and to be able to help the team continue visiting schools, attending events and competing in races across the country, in order to increase road safety awareness.”
As a result of the added backing, HFRRT have confirmed that they will still be competing, for their third year running, at Rallye Sunseeker. The event, which takes place in Bournemouth on 22nd-23rd February, is the opening round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship.
Retained Firefighter, 34-year-old Mark Daniels who put HFRRT together in 2006 will be putting his skills and experience to the test as Team Driver at the rally. Daniels will also be aided this year by newly appointed Navigator, 22-year-old Hollie Sarah Roberton.
With head-turning looks, Roberton has already appeared in a motorsport calendar and as daughter to 1988 British National Rally Champion, Ian Roberton, who still rallies today, she will also have more than a few skills up her sleeve!
Daniels said, “Hants Fire Rally Team are very happy to have Turbo Dynamics on board this year as a sponsor.
“We are really looking forward to Rallye Sunseeker 2008, we have a strong seeding position this year and it’s a really exciting prospect for Hants Fire Rally Team, to enter Rallye Sunseeker 2008 with the backing of such a premier company within the motorsport industry.”
Clyde Evans of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Safety Department added, “Mark is a very experienced driver and this, combined with his training and safety equipment, means that he can tackle the challenging rally conditions using skills and techniques that cannot be applied to the road.”
Turbocharger remanufacturers and hybrid turbo designers, Turbo Dynamics will also be sponsoring Rallye Sunseeker for the third year running.
Turbo Dynamics, renowned for being one of the leading turbocharging specialists in the world, will have two gorgeous girls present at the event who will be handing out goodie bags and posing for photographs on Friday night.
On Saturday, the company will have a turbocharged car display at Somerley Park near Ringwood. Record breaking, Mick Begley will be present at the site with his brother, upcoming racing enthusiast, John Begley. Mick Begley brings with him his famed twin turbocharged Nissan Skyline, which is powered by Turbo Dynamics fully blueprinted, hybrid GT3542 units. Turbo Dynamics will also be showcasing one of their own turbocharged cars, a desirable Renault Mégane Sport.
Hampshire’s Fire and Rescue Service’s vehicle extrication team will also be in attendance on the day, holding two dramatic demonstrations to display their specialist rescue techniques. A must-see attraction of the rally, the team were awarded the title, ‘World Champions at the World Rescue Challenge’ for their work in October.
HFRRT’s overall aim is to make the roads safer by reducing casualties with their initiative being to educate motorists to be more aware of their driving habits on the road. The Turbo Dynamics sponsored team will be featured on TV channels: Dave, Men & Motors and Sky Sports throughout the year.
