Video: Alastair Fisher pre Circuit of Ireland test

Video: Alastair Fisher pre Circuit of Ireland test

Posted: April 5, 2012 10:16 PM

Fisher announces three exciting Fiesta Super 2000 outings

Posted: March 19, 2012 10:58 AM

Alastair Fisher, who will contest six rounds of the World Rally Championship’s WRC Academy in 2012, has taken another important step in his promising motorsport career by confirming plans to contest three of Europe’s most prestigious rallies in a Super 2000 Ford Fiesta.

Fisher, a 23-year-old emerging talent from Northern Ireland, will take part on the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, the Geko Ypres Rally in Belgium and Wales Rally GB in a latest-specification Fiesta prepared by Ford’s World Rally Championship team M-Sport.

It will mark the County Tyrone driver’s return to Super 2000 competition following two impressive showings last season when he finished a class-winning second overall on the Donegal International Rally before he scored points and set top five stage times on the Rally of Scotland, a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

“It’s great to secure the backing to compete in three major rallies in a proven car driving with a prestigious team,” said Fisher, whose ability behind the wheel has been recognised by Autosport magazine, which listed Fisher as one of 10 drivers from across the world to watch in the future. “We worked with M-Sport very successfully last year and they are really focused on preparing a winning car for the forthcoming events.”

“The Circuit of Ireland gives me an opportunity to compete on my home event and compare my pace against the top drivers from the Intercontinental Rally Challenge,” Alastair continued. “The Ypres Rally is a prestigious event and gaining experience on such challenging roads will be invaluable. For Rally GB the aim would be to get one of the two wildcard entries in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship section and push for a strong result.”

Alastair has once again secured the backing of Modern Tyre Service, which operates 26 tyre depots throughout Northern Ireland, plus further support from GR White and Son Electrical Contracts, TBC Motability Conversions, Armagh City Hotel, Pacenotes Rally Magazine and Jennings Fuels.

Additionally, Alastair has received significant backing and physical preparation support from Sport Northern Ireland.
“I’ve taken my personal preparation to a new level since last year and to get extra help from Sport NI is a big boost,” commented Alastair.

The Circuit of Ireland Rally completes an exciting three weeks of competition for Alastair. Prior to the WRC Academy season getting underway on Rally of Portugal from March 29-April 1, Fisher will tackle the International Rally of North Wales, the second round of the British championship, from March 23/24. Immediately following the event in Portugal Fisher will begin his preparations for the Circuit of Ireland Rally on April 6/7, which will include a short test on Wednesday April 4.

Rory Kennedy will navigate Alastair on the Circuit of Ireland Rally, while regular co- driver Daniel Barritt will partner Alastair in Ypres and on Rally GB.