Fisher lands pace on elite programme

Editorial Department • Published 21 Jan 2010 11:14 0 Comments

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Alastair Fisher's is one of only four rally drivers from throughout the United Kingdom to be selected for the Motor Sports Association Team UK, representing the pinnacle of the governing body's Academy structure.

This latest recognition comes after a great debut season in the British Rally Championship in which he finished third overall, and also a similar result on the Irish Tarmac Championship. "It's good to have your name noticed," admitted the Trillick driver. "It is really a continuation of the British Rally Elite programme which I was selected for last year, and it's a really good thing to be a part of."

The UK team is made up of six racing drivers and four rally drivers, each of them selected by those responsible for delivering the programme to represent the most promising young drivers in the country.

"We have selected ten of the most promising young British drivers to join Team UK for 2010," says Robert Reid, MSA Performance Director and 2001 World Rally Champion co-driver. "Every member of the squad is fully committed to the programme and understands just what a fantastic opportunity this is - that is vital to its success. We are delighted with the line-up and look forward to working with them to make real progress with their careers."

Team UK will be provided with expertise to supplement the common learning shared across all disciplines, with highly experienced three-time British Rally Champion Mark Higgins as National Rally Coach.

The content of the programme has been developed in recognition of the more focused membership, enabling a greater emphasis to be placed on driver coaching and in-car performance within the scheme. Individual fitness programmes and dietary consultations will ensure that the drivers are in the best physical shape, while the application of advanced sports psychology will equip them mentally to perform at the highest level. Exclusive visits to teams from F1 and WRC as well as to leading component suppliers will provide invaluable insight into the demands and requirements made of top drivers and the squad will enjoy access to some of the most sophisticated simulation equipment in the world. And thanks to support from the FIA Institute's Motor Sport Safety Fund, Team UK members will also benefit from advanced training in both road and on-track safety skills.

Alastair's first outing of the new year will be the Galway international Rally in his familiar Mitsubishi, although he is still unsure exactly which events he will tackle for the rest of the season. "We are going to Galway but some of the Irish Tarmac rounds and the British Championship rounds are only a week apart so that could be a bit of a problem," he said. "We haven't really confirmed what we're doing for the year, but we are still working on a few things. We will have to see what way it works out."

The Galway International Rally takes place on February 6 and 7.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 21 Jan 10

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