17-year-old Ed Fossey will be competing in his first Paperclix Jersey Rally on the 9/10 October. Entering the tough two-day tarmac test is a challenge for any driver but to tackle it less than a month after passing your driving test would surely make it even more nerve-racking? Jersey’s youngest rallying talent will make his debut in the iconic lanes supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal.
Just a few weeks ago Ed Fossey passed his driving test, making him eligible to compete in the 2015 Paperclix Jersey Rally – becoming one of the youngest competitors in the events 33-year history. Fossey currently competes in the highly competitive Junior 1000 Rally Championship which takes in venues including closed airfields and circuits across the UK. Aimed as the first stepping-stone into the exciting world of rallying, Ed has had a strong showing and has chalked-up some respectable results including a third overall at Anglesey in north Wales earlier this year, despite not being old enough to drive on the public roads! A driving license for the Victoria College student has become an opportunity to open up further rallying ventures as he looks to develop a career in the sport. The first step is his home event, the 2015 Paperclix Jersey Rally. Not only will Ed be making his closed road debut on his home island, he will be pushing for a good finish in his bright blue Vauxhall Nova as well raising as much money as possible for the Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal as the further he goes, the more he hopes to raise for the fantastic local cause.“It has been a busy year so far but it is very exciting with what is ahead of us. It has been a mixed year to date as we have had a few strong top five results as well as some disappointing retirements. We can’t change the past so I can only look forward to the challenges ahead including the iconic Jersey Rally. We want it to be the end of our bad luck and we hope to have a strong showing for the rest of the season.” Enthused Fossey Ed already has two years of UK rallying under his belt but is under no illusion that the notoriously difficult and demanding Jersey lanes will offer a unique challenge to the St Lawrence resident.“I can’t wait to line up on Stage One on my home event. It has been something I have wanted to do for so long. My expectations are simple. I would like to finish the event, gain a lot of experience of day and night rallying as well as listening to notes from my co-driver Joe Cruttenden rather than instructions off a map. I am looking forward to the Trinity stage as it looks quite technical but yet rewarding if you get the rhythm right.”Fossey plans to go all the way on this years event as the further he goes on the 32 stage, 100 plus mile event the more he will raise for the Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal, a charity close to his heart.“The Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal is such a fantastic local cause and I want to support those of a similar age who are less fortunate than myself. I would love a great result but more importantly I would like to complete the event and raise as much money as possible.”When speaking to Ed it was quickly established that this was a man with an old head on young shoulders – as he believes his rallying experience and skills are vital and transferable to the public roads when he learnt to drive.“ People looking at rallying from outside the sport probably think it’s just about racing around. It is more about your ability and discipline rather than your speed. To obtain your rallying license you have to drive in a variety of conditions and surfaces under strict testing conditions to show your competence. When driving on the road, those skills are extremely important in dealing with the unknowns that you face on a day-to-day basis behind the wheel.“ I found when I went on the road for the first time I noticed the potential hazards a lot more and that is down to rallying, as on a stage you are constantly looking at the road, conditions and unknowns which could be around every corner. Of course without Ed’s supporters who have rallied around him, there would be no campaign in 2015 to get Ed to the start line of the Jersey event.“Without my supporters I would not be able to compete in the UK and in Jersey. I would like to thank CaravanSites.co.uk for their support throughout the year as well as some new sponsors for the Jersey Rally. Prestige Safety Training, Delta Racing, Herock, Tractor Services Channel Islands and the Jersey Motorcycle and Light Car Club are all behind me, wishing me well for a good result. “I would like to finally wish everyone good luck for the event and thanks to all the officials, marshals and spectators that make the event happen. Hope you all enjoy it!”If you would like to sponsor and support Ed’s Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal campaign you can donate via his Just Giving page – www.justgiving.com/edfosseymotorsport
