by Rob Wilkins
TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH NICK ROWLAND: CLICK HERE
Nick Rowland will make his debut in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship this year when he takes in the inaugural Suzuki Swift Sport Cup as part of David Higgins' new TQ-FX Motor Sports team.
Crash.net Radio caught up with him at the recent Autosport International Show and got all the details on that and his plans to do the Chinese Rally Championship too...
Crash.net:
Nick, how much are you looking forward to competing in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup?
Nick Rowland:
I am very excited obviously. It is such a massive opportunity and I know that kind of phrase gets thrown about quite a lot, but it is such a big chance for me to learn and to develop. I just need to get my head down now and ensure I make the most of it.
Crash.net:
You won't only be competing in the BRC though will you, as you have also got a programme in China?
NR:
I will be doing the full Chinese Rally Championship with the WY Rally Team, which ran David last year. I will be using an Evo 9 and that will mean I will be able to practice driving a four-wheel drive car in my own time without the pressure of doing it in Britain. Hopefully it will be a very balanced programme for the year.
Crash.net:
It is early days for you though isn't it in terms of your rally career, as you only started competing a few years ago...
NR:
Just under two years actually and I have only ever rallied a Nissan Micra before. But I have known David for a couple of years and he has been helping me and I think he has been fairly happy so far. We have managed to put this programme together now and I am just very grateful.
Crash.net:
Is David effectively your mentor?
NR:
Yeah he is the boss now - I will do what he says!
[laughs]
