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The MSA British Rally Elite is an innovative national Motorsport training scheme endorsed by the MSA for the top young drivers and co-drivers in the UK. The aim is to train them into the best possible package for World Rally Championship teams and aid their transition from British Rallying into the World Rally Championship.
The scheme is the brainchild of former World Rally Champion co-driver Robert Reid, who realised that something needed to be done to assist young British competitors.
The Elite program focuses primarily on Sports Science elements using the services of experts form Edinburgh University. These include Sports Psychology, Sports Physiology, Fitness, Nutrition and Injury Prevention. Other topics being covered include Sponsorship and Marketing, Media and Promotion, Specific driver and co-driver skills, Competition Strategy and World Rally Team Visits.
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2009 MSA British Rally Elite squad |
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THORBURN IS THE PIRELLI STAR
25 May 2009
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The MSA British Rally Elite competitors proved their increased level of coaching and on-event support is really paying dividends with all competitors delivering improved performances on the third round of the MSA British Rally Championship, the Jim Clark Rally.
All competitors benefitted from a high level of pre-event support and training leading to Adam Gould, Alastair Fisher and Euan Thorburn claiming two second fastest BRC stage times each during their run to some of the best scheme results so far this year.
The 34th Jim Clark Rally was based in the Borders market town of Kelso and included 17 timed runs over some of the fastest tarmac stages in the UK. This unique event used closed public roads and pitted crews against narrow, bumpy lanes and wide, fast and smooth tarmac roads.
Reigning Pirelli Star Driver Gould and Elite co-driver Seb Marshall scored their best result so far this season securing the final step of the podium and a fantastic third place overall in the BRC. Scheme competitors flooded the top five as Gould was followed closely home by Academy driver Euan Thorburn in fourth and Elite driver Alastair Fisher in fifth; both of whom really raised their game on this rally. Thorburn’s outstanding performance was duly rewarded with the Pirelli Star Driver nomination for the event and Fisher has been elevated to a fantastic third place in the championship.
Hot on the heels of the four-wheel-drive cars were Jason Pritchard and Martin McCormack in their Citroen C2s. They finished day one on exactly the same time and were separated by only a handful of seconds during the whole event but eventually McCormack’s experience on tarmac helped him come out on top. He claimed his second Citroen Racing Trophy win of the season and now leads both the series and the MSA British Junior Championship.
Fiesta competitors Kris Hall and Gareth Roberts started the event well but succumbed to the difficult conditions with an accident and a technical problem respectively, putting them out of the competition.
Elite scheme facilitators, The Inside Line, provided on-event support using the scheme’s Edinburgh University instructors. With coaching from a Sport Psychologist and Sport Physiologist the competitors’ heart rates were measured during the stages and they underwent muscle soreness tests. These results were fed into their individual fitness programmes to further personalise their physical training.
However, one of the biggest benefits was the pre-event assistance from reigning BRC Champion Guy Wilks. Wilks sat in with the scheme competitors on the Shakedown and advised on set-up and driving technique for the Jim Clark stages and his input proved instrumental in the improved performances from all scheme competitors.
MSA British Rally Elite Performance Advisor Phil Mills said: “I’m really excited with how the competitors have performed on this event. Many of them have taken a big step forward, raised their game, and it’s fantastic to see them trading times with multiple BRC champion Mark Higgins. I’m hoping this event will be a turning point and I’m looking forward to working with the group to further enhance their skills and speed.”
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