IRISH CO-DRIVER FOR 2005 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: January 13, 2005 3:29 PM

Damien said “it all came as a bit of a surprise, but it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. It’s every co-drivers dream to compete at the top level of the sport, and with a team as professional as M-sport I am really looking forward to working with them this year. It’s going to be quite an adventure!”

Damien is the first Irish co-driver to compete in a full WRC programme since Belfast's Terry Harryman partnered the legendary Ari Vatenan in the mid 70's. Damien like many top flight co-drivers cut his teeth in night navigation trials and then progressed to stage rallies with helpful advice always on hand from his local Monaghan motor club. Damien has gained a wealth of experience over the years having competed at club level with a range of different drivers in various cars from a Ford KA to the latest range of world rally cars. More recently Damien has been competing with northern Irelands Glenn Alenn in a WRC escort on gravel events. The duo has proved a formidable team over the past two years with many top results to their credit. Beyond home Damien has competed in 12 different countries and much of that time was spent in the Middle East where he partnered Saudi Arabian driver Ahmed Sabban in the Middle East rally championship. He has also competed in Scandinavia on the snow and ice with up and coming Cork driver Gordon Coleman who is a son of one of Ireland’s greatest drivers Billy Coleman. Damien’s escapades have stood him well as he is in possession of vital knowledge of varied road conditions, all of which are basic requirements of a WRC co-driver.

Damien’s new partner Antony Warmbold is a man undoubtedly with a mission. The affable German holds a passion for competition and speed when it comes to his preferred surface of gravel. Having established himself as one of the leading privateers in the WRC, Antony notched up some good results in last years championship driving a 2002 spec Focus. The Warmbold name is synonymous with success as we Irish know when his father Achim amazed us with his speed and flamboyancy on the 1975 Donegal international rally which he won at the wheel of a BMW 2002. Achim went on to score several world rally victories in the mid 70's.

The year ahead will see the Warmbold/Connolly team tackle all sixteen rounds of the WRC which begins with the infamous Monte-Carlo rally on January 21st and then travels the globe to Sweden, Mexico, New-Zealand, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Argentina, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, France, Spain and ending with rally Australia in mid November. With the highly experienced crew on board the successful Ford Focus RS, an interesting year lies ahead. We wish them well in their quest for success.

www.awarmbold.com

• 2005 World Rally Championship