Big World Rally opportunity
Radstock racer Ross Whittock will be heading to the World Rally Championship this year.
The 29-year-old Bath Motor Club member will be co-driver to Manchester’s Chris Ingram after the pair successfully won the European title together in 2019 and Whittock has also previously won the Michael ‘Beef’ Park Trophy for being the highest ranked British co-driver under-25 at the Wales Rally GB.
Ingram became the first Briton to win the FIA European Rally Championship since Vic Elford 52-years previous.
The pair have joined forces with the vastle successful SXM Competition team from Belgium to pilot a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.
SXM Competition’s Fred Miclotte said: “I have known Chris and Ross already for some time and I’m sure they form a fantastic team together. I think that we all have the same goal for 2021. We all want to show our potential and that’s why I believe so much in it.”
Ingram, who previously crowdfunded his rallying career, added: “There have been some really tough moments to get this far but it feels so special to be able to say I’m a World Rally Championship driver.
“I’ve given everything I have to get this opportunity and I have so many people to thank and so much to be grateful for.
“Winning the ERC title in 2019 opened up lots of doors and I was close to landing a really good drive in 2020. The pandemic slammed all those doors shut, but I never gave up and never stopped believing my dream would come true. I’m so lucky to have this chance.
“It’s a two-year programme and I can’t lose sight of that fact. It’s been almost 18 months since I last drove a top level rally car so I’ve got to build up my confidence, learn the events and adapt to the championship because it’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done. The World rally rounds are another level. I’m going to give it everything.”
Ingram will be heading to championship with support from the Rally Warrior banner and SG Financial and Fladgate alongside Protec, Kroon-oil, Fleetback, WS Transportation, HAH Whisky, Stilo Helmets and race-wear partner Freem.
Director of Rally Warriors Adam Shore said: “Chris has battled for several years to finance his career. We felt the desire to step in and make sure Chris and Ross are given the chance at WRC which they deserve. They exemplify resilience and outstanding performance, and fans really want to see these rising stars compete.”
The Croatia Rally will mark the pairs first event in their debut World Rally Championship, the start of a six-event WRC3 programme ahead of a WRC2 bid in 2022. The Croatia Rally, which gets underway in Zagreb on April 22, is a new addition to the calendar and is a tarmac event.