Fisher geared up for season opener

Rising star Alastair Fisher will get his 2012 season underway when he contests Rallye Sunseeker, the opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship, in Bournemouth and the surrounding forests on Saturday (February 25).

The 23-year-old from Trillick in County Tyrone is planning to tackle the opening two rounds of the BRC in his Ford Fiesta R2 prior to his second season in the WRC
Academy starting on Vodafone Rally of Portugal at the end of March.

“We’re aiming to continue in the WRC Academy this season and we’re hoping to finalise our entry this week,” said Fisher. “However, before then, we’re doing the first
two rounds of the BRC in order to get some time in the car and we will be aiming to hit the ground running when the WRC Academy starts in Portugal.”

Fisher will be a Rallye Sunseeker novice when the event begins with a ceremonial start in Poole on Friday evening. Despite his lack of knowledge of the 12-stage, 60-
mile route, Fisher says he cannot wait for the event to begin.

“It feels like I’ve been out of the seat for ages so I’m really looking forward to the start of the new season,” said the Northern Irishman. “The entry for Sunseeker is really strong so it will be a competitive event. Apart from studying some on-board footage I don’t know much about the event, but the recce should cure that. The BRC is shaping up nicely for the new season and everyone will be pushing really hard as a two-wheel-drive car will be able to lift the crown.”

Fisher will continue his partnership with Burnley, Lancashire-based co-driver Daniel Barritt in 2012 following a successful maiden campaign together last year. Respected engineer Gerry McGarritty will oversee the running of Fisher’s Fiesta on the British championship events.

Fisher’s potential spotted by Autosport magazine

Alastair Fisher has been marked out as a star of the future by Autosport magazine. The esteemed weekly title featured an article in its February 9 issue titled Rallying’s Next Generation, which picked out 10 future stars of the World Rally Championship. Fisher was one of 10 drivers from around the world selected by Autosport’s rallies editor David Evans.