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]

Crash.net:
Are you going to get much testing prior to the Pirelli International in April, round 1 in the BRC?

NR:
Obviously testing is always dependent on budget and things. I am involved with the Suzuki as well and I am not sure what is going on with the 'main' team and the Subarus [which David and Hugh Evans - my team-mates will compete in]. But I hope to maybe do a test rally in the Suzuki sometime before and hopefully test at David's FX Rally School too, which is obviously a great testing venue. It seems perfect to start there.

Crash.net:
What are your targets for the year overall?

NR:
I think I am quite lucky because with two programmes I can split them up and have two different goals. China is just going to be a massive, massive learning curve and I don't think there is a huge amount expected of me there. I am just going to get my head down and practice and get use to working in a big team. With the Suzuki there are two great prizes on offer in the BRC with Pirelli Star Driver competition and the chance to drive a Suzuki Super 1600 car on Wales Rally GB. In Britain my plan is just to work on my speed and try and get some good results. Ultimately though I just want to keep learning and look at the bigger picture.

Crash.net:
You mentioned the Pirelli Star Driver competition, how nice would it be to win that this year and take the prize drive in 2009?

NR:
Obviously it would be great and I will always keep it in mind. The top Junior driver in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup gets automatic inclusion in the Pirelli Star shoot-out. It is definitely something to aim for. I need to make sure I keep fit during the year and think about the things that I might be tested on if I do manage to get a place in it - and if not I will still be developing anyway and it won't do me any harm.

Crash.net:
What areas will you work in 2008? Is fitness a big thing you will be focusing on?

NR: