In the first of a series of exclusive columns Nick Rowland talks about his plans for 2008, when he will compete in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship and the Chinese Rally Championship...
This time last year I was flat out with A-levels and getting ready for my first rally of the season, the Wyedean Forest Rally - it was the first round of the Formula 1000 Championship.
Over the winter Sweep Motorsport and I had worked hard to turn around some fairly obvious flaws in my 998cc Nissan Micra rally car that had troubled me during summer 2006 when I started rallying. Obvious flaws such as the lack of competition spec suspension and a half dead engine.
So, now the car was in perfect form, we were all very excited to get going and start our first full season after having had a blast in 2006, when my dad and I dragged the Micra to various events not having a clue what we were doing, only surviving by sheer luck and assistance from people who took pity on us.
What a difference a year makes...
It is 2008 now and once again I am getting ready for the years rallying, however there are some fairly major changes. The Micra has gone, replaced by an Evo 9 and, instead of the Wyedean, my first rally of the season is on the other side of the world in China.
My dad has been replaced by the WY Rally Team, who are the current champions in China and Hugh Evans has given me a drive in the TQ FX Motor Sports team in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship alongside David Higgins. Wow I still can't believe it. I can't wait either.
After working very hard all year to sort this programme out it feels great to have it all in place.
There are obviously so many people I need to thank for helping me get to this point which stretches all the way back to when I did work experience at Peugeot Sport UK when I was 15. They gave me so much advice about everything.
