News
In its 40th year, the IRDC is delighted to announce that it will have a stand near the popular rally stage at this year's Festival of Speed. The facility offer's IRDC members and guests hospitality and display Tom Cave's group N Ford Fiesta, brought to Goodwood straight from competing on the World Rally Championship round in Poland the previous weekend, where Tom is co-driven by Craig Parry.
Tom is the IRDC's youngest member and in November 2008, on The Wales Rally GB, Tom became the youngest driver, not only to start but also to win his class on an FIA World Rally Championship event; just days after qualifying for his full UK driving licence!
Tom?s interest in rallying was nurtured by his father Peter, himself a competitor and Tom gained early experience of car control in a buggy, powered by a motorcycle engine.
He soon progressed into competition in Latvia, where drivers can compete from the age of 14 and at 15 Tom teamed up with former co-driver Gemma Price and competed in the national championship in the Baltic State at the wheel of an MGZR.
This year Tom will contest the full national championship in a group N Ford Fiesta ST, built to the same specification as the Fiesta Special International; a one make series which runs alongside the WRC.
Tom, currently a student lists golf, Swimming, Kayaking, Fitness and Socialising as his main hobbies and becoming a professional rally driver as his ambition.
26th June, 2009
Ford's world rally team director Malcolm Wilson was today named in The Queen's Birthday Honours list. Wilson was admitted to the Order of the British Empire after being awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) for his services to British motorsport.
The award is one of the highest achievements bestowed by the British monarchy and recognises distinguished achievement in any field at national or regional level. Wilson will receive his honour from Her Majesty The Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London later this year.
Wilson, director of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, led Ford to the manufacturers' world title in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2006 and 2007.
"It's a great honour, and a huge surprise, to be recognised in this way by Her Majesty The Queen," said 53-year-old Wilson, managing director of Cumbrian-based M-Sport, the preparation business which runs Ford's world rally programme.
"Motorsport, and particularly rallying, has been my life. I feel so proud to have delivered two world championship titles for Ford, and equally as proud to have done so from M-Sport's base at my home town in Cockermouth, Cumbria. I feel very humble that our achievements have been recognised in this way.
"But this is not just an honour for me. It's also a reward for all the employees at M-Sport who work so hard to keep Ford at the forefront of the FIA World Rally Championship. They should also feel great pride at this award," said Wilson.
Ian Slater, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs for Ford of Europe, paid tribute to Wilson. "I'm delighted that Malcolm's achievements have been recognised today in The Queen's Birthday Honours List. He joins a very select group of British motorsport heroes in being honoured in this way.
"He sits alongside great world champions of the calibre of Sir Jackie Stewart, who won three drivers' world titles in Formula 1, and John Surtees, the only man to win world titles on both two and four wheels.
"To rank with such household names is a testament to his dedication, sheer hard work and visible enthusiasm for the sport he loves. This is a proud day for all of us, and especially for Malcolm's family and all the committed people at our M-Sport partners in the FIA World Rally Championship. So, on behalf of everyone at Ford Motor Company, I extend my warm congratulations on this honour," said Slater.
Wilson is one of British motorsport's most successful names with more than 30 years' experience in rallying - over 20 of those with Ford.
He rose to fame as a driver in the 1970s, winning two national titles in Britain in Ford Escorts. He went onto drive for three factory teams in the world championship and spent several years as Ford's chief test driver, developing new rally cars. In 1994 he ended his driving career by achieving a career-long aim of winning the British Rally Championship for Ford.
Having already formed his own preparation company, Wilson was appointed to run Ford's official world championship rally programme in 1997. Under his leadership, Ford has twice won the manufacturers' title with the record-breaking Focus RS World Rally Car and finished second on six occasions.
Since M-Sport was awarded the Ford contract, the team has won 38 world rallies and scored points on 113 consecutive world rallies - a record in itself.
Throughout his career Wilson has been supported by his wife, Elaine, also an M-Sport director. Their son, Matthew, is one of Britain's brightest motorsport prospects and is himself a full-time driver in the world championship
The IRDC congratulate Malcom on this well deserved honour.
14th June, 2009
The Motor Sports Association, governing body of UK motor sport, has today confirmed its commitment to the UK's round of the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship by agreeing to underwrite the cost of running the 2009 Rally of Great Britain that will be held in Wales from October 22nd to 25th.
The MSA has agreed this course of action, in spite of the Welsh Assembly Government's (WAG) recent unilateral and unwarranted decision to terminate its sponsorship contract for the event. The MSA's commercial subsidiary, International Motor Sports which organises the event, will continue to pursue vigorously its legal case against the Welsh Assembly.
"In recent years, the MSA has exercised prudent management of its finances to create a surplus in order to protect the sport against unforeseen circumstances," confirms Alan Gow, Chairman of both MSA and IMS. "Consequently, we have decided to underwrite this important and prestigious international event for the good of the sport, while continuing to pursue our extremely robust case against the Welsh Assembly Government for its breach of contract.
"IMS and everyone involved in Rally GB now have a very challenging period ahead to turn the event around in just four months. However, we are confident that the experience and professionalism of our people and clubs will make sure that this year's event is a great success."
Release MSA09-024: 10 June 2009
For media information only. No regulatory value.
Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association
For further information please contact Ben Taylor
Telephone: +44 (0)7866 449940 E-mail: media@msauk.org
10th June, 2009
For Immediate Release
GERARD QUINN TAKES OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR MOTORSPORT IN FORD OF EUROPE
- Gerard Quinn is appointed Senior Manager, Motorsport, Ford of Europe
- Quinn replaces Mark Deans who has elected to retire from Ford
- Quinn will report to Ingvar Sviggum, Vice President of Marketing, Sales & Service and to Ian Slater, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs
COLOGNE, GERMANY, May 29, 2009 - Ford of Europe is announcing that Gerard Quinn is appointed Senior Manager, Motorsport, replacing Mark Deans who has elected to retire from Ford at the end of this month.
In his new position, Quinn will work alongside Malcolm Wilson, BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team Director and owner of M-Sport, Ford of Europe's partner for its main motorsport activity, the FIA World Rally Championship. Quinn will be the focal point through which Ford will continue to support M-Sport and drive future success for the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, most obviously via close ties with the company's global Product Development and engineering disciplines.
Quinn will also be responsible for a small team of marketing professionals and product development engineers to develop further the company's motorsport strategy in Europe. He will work closely with the Communications and Public Affairs team, as well as other key Ford of Europe staffs.
A self-confessed 'petrol head', 45-year-old Gerard Quinn joined Ford in 1988 at the company's Dagenham plant in Britain, and progressed through a number of management positions before being appointed to his previous role of Dealer Operations Manager for Ford of Ireland in June 2008.
Quinn has gained experience on Ford's motorsport activities in his previous roles and, before joining Ford, he was already very active in the organisational side of grass roots motorsport in his home town through the Cork Motor Club.
Between 2005 and 2008, he was directly responsible for the commercial and contractual aspects of Ford of Europe's motorsport strategy, including the relationship with M-Sport. He also had a significant involvement in Ford of Europe's performance vehicle business, notably the development programme for the new Ford Focus RS.
In his new role, Quinn will report directly to Ingvar Sviggum, Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service and to Ian Slater, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Ford of Europe.
"We're very pleased to have Gerard Quinn leading our Motorsport programmes in Europe," said Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service. "He has a wealth of experience inside Ford having worked his way along the ladder of opportunity to become a valued member of the management team. He knows Malcolm Wilson and the M-Sport team well, and his understanding of both the motorsport business and our corporate strategy is precisely what we need during this difficult economic period."
31st May, 2009