22 Motorsport supporting safer rallying

Brand new company show the way with safety sponsorship

22 Motorsport is a brand new business coming onto the rally scene determined to uphold and maintain safety in rallying. Founded by a husband and wife rally team, Richard and Christine Betts, the company's core business is the preparation and hire of rally cars; however, the owners' stated intention is also to put something back into rallying. To that end, 22 Motorsport will also be looking into opportunities to help young drivers and support safety in rallying.

In what was believed to be a sponsorship first in rallying, 22 Motorsport, supported the entire safety services network on this year's Rally Sunseeker, which was held on Saturday 24th February.

22 Motorsport provided backing to ensure that the best safety facilities for competitors and spectators were available, running under the catchphrase "22 Motorsport - Supporting Safer Rallying". The Chief Medial Officer, seven rally doctors, the safety radio network, two St. John's Ambulance units, 14 licensed Rescue and Recovery Units, the Chief Safety Officer, seven Stage Safety Officers, the Spectator Control Course Car and the Dorset Police for traffic and spectator control were all provided for.

"Of course, we all know that a rally could not run without the full complement of safety services and facilities in place, but this can often divert funds from another valuable facility', said Rick Smith, Clerk of the Course for the Rally. "To know that we could release budget that had been set aside for safety services, gave us the opportunity to raise our game even further in other aspects of the rally's organisation."

Martin Rowe, former British Rally Champion and 22 Motorsport Development Consultant said, "I wouldn't be involved with a company I didn't believe in, I really do have faith that 22 Motorsport will do all it can for rallying, not just take the profits." He went on to say,"The people behind 22 Motorsport are passionate rally enthusiasts who wanted to find a way to put something back into rallying - what a great way to do it." "It's not just that they are determined to provide safe hire cars, it's that they are really enthusiastic about supporting overall rally safety and young drivers. To coin a phrase, it makes a refreshing change."

John Symes, MSA Environmental and Safety Executive, added, "It's rare to find a sponsor that is willing to support a rather down to earth function on an event, rather than going for the glitzy items on the 'menu'. 22 Motorsport are to be applauded for their backing of safety, not just on Rallye Sunseeker but also in their own hire car business. I hope we can see the company's name supporting safety on other rallies throughout the year."

Based in the Midlands and maintained by Northern South, courtesy of long time rally experts Grant Clearwater and Ian Fisher, Group A Seat Ibizas and Group N Subaru Imprezas form the basis of the hire fleet. Each car can be hired to use with one's own service crew (subject to technical capabilities) or as a complete team (technicians, service vehicles, tyres fuel etc.). For the really inexperienced but enthusiastic rally prospect, 22 Motorsport will also help with instruction, entries, pace notes etc.

22 Motorsport also sponsored the Elizabeth Hardy Ladies' Award on this years Rallye Sunseeker. Three entries on the rally also received support; John Hardy and Andrew Coley, both supplied with 22 Motorsport Group A Seat Ibizas. While Cheltenham-based Andy Gwynne received support for his Vauxhall Corsa Kit Car entry.

The Poole based pairing of John Hardy and co-driver Daniel Duffy were supported in the Seat Ibiza by 22 Motorsport last year, in the ACSMC Masters Championship, but suffered a run of bad luck, finishing three out of the five rallies they contested and unfortunately writing the car off on the last event. Although they had support for this first round of the Ancro National Rally Championship, they are still looking for further backing to enable them to continue their plans for 2001, specifically the VW Polo Challenge.

Andrew Coley, received support from 22 Motorsport for the first time said, "I've worked really hard since day one of my rallying and I've managed to put myself in the right place at the right time. I'm as nervous as hell but the anticipation is killing me and I can't wait to get out on the stages! I'm not going to let a chance like this slip through my fingers so I shall play myself in sensibly and then go like hell!" He was co-driven by Tim Slattery. The 2000 season saw Tim and Andrew campaigning a Vauxhall Nova in the Rally 2000 Championship, ending the season 5th in Class.

This year saw Andy Gwynne and co-driver John Youd's first attempt at the Rallye Sunseeker. The 2000 season had seen Andy campaigning the Corsa in the Mintex Championship with varied success; gearbox problems dogged him for most of the season. A highpoint of the year was an invitation to compete in the final round of the Loctite Rallysprint at Silverstone, where he won F2 and set fastest 1600cc lap time.

For more information on 22 Motorsport and its services please contact:

22 Motorsport,
PO Box 22,
Wallington,
Surrey, SM6 8ZN