Junior Rallying returns to Latvia in force

Next weekend sees Junior Rallying, the scheme to develop the next generation of British rallying talent, return to competition in Latvia in force. The Gulbis Rally will see no less than five crews competing under the Junior Rallying banner, the largest number of cars the scheme has run in Latvia this season. It also clearly demonstrates the growing awareness and understanding of the scheme, designed to allow drivers as young as 14 to begin their full rally career.

The number of drivers competing with Junior Rallying has been steadily increasing this season, culminating with next weekend’s entry on the one-day event of five cars. Based in the town of Gulbene, the event sees the crews tackle six stages over the day, in two pairs of three. The longest stage is 9.1Km in length while the shortest is 7.43Km, brining the event total to 55Km.

Heading the entry list is Junior Rallying figurehead, Tom Cave. Once again driving his Fiesta ST and partnered by Gemma Price, Tom is looking for a solid finish to add to his tally as the 2008 season begins to approach its conclusion. Having missed his last event, he is keen to get back into the Fiesta and ensure that he and Price reach the finish line as he prepares for the final round of the National championship, the flagship event Rally Latvia in October.

Another Tom, this time Tom Clark, is making his fifth trip to Latvia and like the previous two, will be driving his Suzuki Swift Cup car and partnered by Aggie Foster. Tom’s progress over the season has been excellent and he was narrowly denied a fifth place in class on his last outing, by picking up a penalty for clipping a cone. This time, he is targeting a genuine fifth place to add to his already impressive results.

It’s also hoped that Conor Flynn will be making a welcome return to Junior Rallying and Latvia. However, things are not so sure, as he recently tore several ligaments in his foot playing football in the UK. While Conor was not in plaster, his foot is very sore but he is hopeful he will be able to compete without too much pain. He admits that he injured his right foot and that’s his accelerator foot, which he keeps flat to the floor at all times anyway. If he takes part, he will be driving his family-prepared and run Volkswagen Golf.

Dom Scott, who impressed on his first outing using his father’s Vauxhall Nova by finishing ninth in class just behind Clark, will be returning to Latvia this weekend. He will be hoping for a smoother run this time though, as on his first event with the scheme, his Nova lost third gear but the 14 year-old managed to nurse it back to the finish for an excellent first outing. For this event, Dom will again be partnered by co-driver Mike Scrimgour in the Nova.

Rounding out the Junior Rallying entries is Jamie Brown, tackling only his second ever gravel rally. He also impressed on his first outing, by claiming 20th in class and will be looking to once again ensure he reaches the finish to maximise his experience and learning but at the same time, improve on his debut.

For Junior Rallying’s Manager Gemma Price, it will be a busy event, as she will be co-driving for Tom Cave as well as managing the program for the other drivers. However, despite the two very different roles, she is looking forward to Rally Gulbis; “Next weekend is bound to be frantic but with Junior Rallying’s Technical Manager Peter Gladstone on the event, I’m sure we will be able to offer all five competing crews the levels of support they have come to expect of the scheme.

“The support of the Latvian Automobile Federation is also crucial to our activity and they have been superb all season. Their forward-thinking approach has made Junior Rallying possible and given us the chance to offer young British drivers the opportunity to begin their careers in a genuine rally environment.”

The event begins at 09.00hrs and the first cars are expected to arrive at the finish ramp in the centre of Gulbene at 13.40hrs.