Hampshire racer takes on home forest event

Fresh from completing the 2004 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season, leading Independent runner Rob Collard is switching driving disciplines and taking on the challenge of the final round of the British Rally Championship. Taking place in the Hampshire Forests close to his Eversley home, Rob will be driving a Subaru Impreza in what will be his second run in the South of England Tempest Rally.

Rob has purchased a Group N Subaru Impreza to contest the International section of the 17-stage rally, which will see him take on 62 competitive stage miles.

"I’d watched the Tempest for many years – one of the stages is only 200 yards from where my business is based, and a quarter of a mile from my house,” explains Rob, 2003 Independent BTCC champion, “so last year I hired a car and had a good run. I wanted something a bit more competitive this year – so bought the Subaru.

“I’m aiming to get to the finish, we broke down last year, and a respectable result would be great. I’d like to do some more events over the winter and really get up to speed. It would be good to both the racing and some rallies next year, but that depends on money. If I can’t get in a fully competitive Touring Car next season then I probably won’t compete in the BTCC – I need a better car than the 2001-spec Astra I have been racing.”

The first three spectator stages of the South of England Tempest Rally take place on Friday, November 5th, evening, with the majority of the event – 60 stage miles – taking place on Saturday. Rob has yet to confirm his co-driver for the event.