PRESS RELEASE: 27th September 2008

GAMBLE TAKES THE TITLE

Mark Gamble Wins Swift Sport Cup Championship

The inaugural Suzuki Swift Sport Cup title has been won by Mark Gamble during last weekend’s Trackrod Rally in Yorkshire.

Gamble won the event to lift the title, but early on in the one-day event, he thought that was the last thing he was going to achieve. Having lost two minutes with a puncture in the morning, he commented, "We're slowly but surely getting time back, but we've not got enough stages left to win." However in a mammoth run through the final stage, Gamble turned a 58.8 second deficit into a 53.3 second lead to win the title. "We really went for it in that last stage," said Gamble.

Scotsman Gordon Nichol had been ahead of Gamble with that one stage to go, but had suffered problems in the final stage. Nichol's problems had also seen Ross Forde and Nick Rowland leapfrog him to finish second and third. Forde had also lost time with clutch problems earlier in the day. After servicing, the problem returned but it was later repaired allowing him to push back up the points.

Nick Rowland had enjoyed his first run through the rapid straights of Yorkshire, and was ecstatic with another podium finish after catching Dane Niki Bjerg in Langdale and losing time in his dust.

It was a disappointed Nichol who took fourth: "We'd built up that lead, and if we had won, the title fight would have gone to the Tempest, but before the last stage the clutch went to the floor. In the stage I went for third gear and got nothing, from there we had a mile uphill and the time just slipped away."

Still in his first year behind the wheel of a rally car, and with his last mile crash in Ulster fresh in his mind, EVO magazine journalist Henry Catchpole was delighted with his performance on the notorious fast roads. "We were three seconds a mile faster on our second runs through some stages, so I feel like I've really achieved something in Yorkshire."

Bjerg had suffered an exploded tyre on his Swift, which had taken some of the bodywork with it, during the third stage. "We were going into a corner and it exploded, but we drove about 15km to the end of the stage; It was quite scary." The event had led to a broken steering arm, which his crew could not change until the longer service period.

Although she was not registered for the Cup, celebrity car driver Molly Taylor – Australian S1600 champion – finished behind Bjerg. And had it not been for losing over seven minutes in the third stage due to stopping to change a puncture, it could have been a very different story. Using the event as a taster of the UK series Taylor said, "It's a fantastic atmosphere in the Cup here and I've thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated having the opportunity to come and experience rallying a Swift in the UK. I would love to come back next year, but it will all come down to budget."

Richard Boot completed the Swift field in Yorkshire, still enjoying his first year competing in British championship level events.

The next round of the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup is the Suzuki-backed Tempest Rally, held in Aldershot on 8th November. An addition to the field will be Moto GP racer Loris Capirossi, who will switch two wheels for four to drive the Swift Sport Cup celebrity car.

Further details on the Suzuki Swift Sport rally car and series can be found at www.swiftsportcup.co.uk

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: 19 August 2008

SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT CUP

Seven Suzukis will again contest the fourth round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship’s Suzuki Swift Sport Cup on the Todd’s Leap Ulster International Rally.

Mark Gamble has had back-to back victories on the last two events, but they have not been without drama. He put the car off the road a couple of times on the Jim Clark, then dropped several minutes on the Isle of Man too. The incident actually re-enlivened the battle after Ross Forde had seemingly dropped out of contention with a holed sump. County Galway’s Forde is the only Irish driver in the series, unfortunately languishing in sixth after a non-score on the Pirelli, but taking runner up sport on both subsequent occasions.

First round winner Gordon Nichol had a lacklustre home event around Duns, but he would have wished for a repeat of that rather that the spectacular off in the appalling conditions on the Isle of Man. He cleared a stone wall on a right-hander, but not before demolishing a good part of it with his pristine Swift.

An International feel is enhanced by Danish Federation backed driver Niki Bjerg, who also competes in a Swift at home. Whilst used to asphalt events, he is in unity with the other crews, in describing each successive event as the best and most taxing they have contested. He currently lies second, but the challenge of the Ulster lanes will be another test in his British Rally Championship debut.

With Nichol fourth, David Higgins’ TQ.com protégé young Nick Rowland is a place behind, following a stunned podium place on the Pirelli. He actually retired but managed to use Super Rally rules to his advantage, scoring valuable second place points.

Evo magazine’s Henry Catchpole is used to writing reports on car tests, but even he is beginning to run out of superlatives in his first season competing at BRC level. Improvement has been steady but noticeable over the three events thus far, taking a very well earned third place on the Isle of Man.

Husband and wife crew Richard and Emma Boot missed the first round, but are also improving as the season progresses. Steady runs on the first tarmac events bode well for another step closer to a podium finish before the end of the year.

All the crews drive identical 125-bhp Suzuki Swift Sports which have been built by Monster Sport Europe (MSE). The gearbox, engine and ECU are sealed and the championship has its own scrutineer to ensure fair play. Suzuki GB and MSE provide on-event technical support to keep the cars running, with all the cars servicing together in the Armagh City Hotel’s Swift Sport Cup village.

For more information on the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup visit: www.swiftsportcup.co.uk

 

PRESS RELEASE: 20th April 2008

Nichol triumphs in Dramatic Pirelli International Rally

Scot Gordon Nichol and co driver Jane Nicol won the inaugural round of the Swift Sport Cup through the stages of Kershop and Kielder Forests on the Pirelli International Rally over the weekend of 18th and 19th April. They won despite having incurred penalties on the first leg when they stopped to help a fellow Swift Sport Cup runner change a puncture.

Six Swift Sport R1 cars started the rally on the Friday evening with the first four stages being run in the dark through Kershop Forest. With prevailing high winds and rain showers the crews needed maximum concentration in order to survive conditions described by many seasoned drivers as the roughest they had ever encountered on the event.

Young Nick Rowland was the first car to hit trouble when he arrived at the end of stage 1 with an over-heating engine and no battery charge having lost his alternator belt. They were forced to retire and to re enter under Super rally rules the next day.

Meanwhile Danish Junior Champion Niki Bjerg was setting some stunning times and leading the pack despite never having driven on gravel or at night previously. He was closely followed by the trio of Ross Forde, Gordon Nichol and late entry Mark Gamble who was driving a left hand drive car for the very first time. Niki eventually fell back on the last of the night’s stages when he suffered a double puncture, leaving Mark as the overnight leader.

Bringing up the rear was Evo Magazine journalist Henry Catchpole who gained some respectable times despite taking up rallying only three months ago. He was a very relieved man to reach the service area near Carlisle on only his fifth rally.

Saturday saw all six teams ready to tackle the remaining 10 stages some of which were now becoming very rutted with large rocks appearing through the surface. By mid-morning a fierce battle was ensuing between Bjerg, Forde, Gamble and Nichol with only 30 seconds separating the crews. Mark Gamble had maintained his lead and some impressive stage times only to be cruelly forced out at the first service of the day with a damaged fuel tank and fuel pump.

Henry Catchpole meanwhile was making good progress and enjoying the long flowing daylight stages when his car cut out after a heavy landing and was unable to trace the problem and retired. Back at service he was very circumspect about his plight and commented: 'That's rallying. I only started this year and it's been a very steep learning curve, but it's great fun.'

The battle for honours continued into the afternoon stages between Niki Bjerg, Ross Forde and Gordon Nichol with 19-year old Nick Rowland posting some good times and showing a great deal of maturity in gaining valuable experience without taking too many risks.

Stage 11 saw the demise of Niki Bjerg when he went off the road and finished up in one of Kielder’s infamous deep ditches. The car was virtually undamaged, but it was stuck fast and they thought their chance of a podium finish was gone. This elevated Ross Forde to 1st position followed by Gordon Nichol and the fast improving Nick Rowland.

On the last loop of stages the cars were taking a pounding on the heavily rutted tracks and on unlucky stage 13 Ross Forde suffered the same fate as Mark Gamble and retired. This left Gordon Nichol with a comfortable lead and he was able to nurse his car home to win the Rally with a surprised but delighted Nick Rowland taking second position and Niki Berg third despite his car being in parc ferme after his crash. To add to Ross Forde's woes, he was unable to get his car back to the parc ferme on time and therefore was classed as a non-finisher and collected no points, moving Bjerg into third place.

An ecstatic Nichol said at the finish: 'That was one of the hardest rallies I've ever done. We were a bit disheartened earlier having lost some time, but we can't believe we've won. Thanks to all of our service crew, friends and family that helped us get here – it's amazing.'

Ian Phillipson Championship Manager commented: 'It's been a tough event to start our championship, but the crews have been fantastic and the competition fierce. Congratulations to Gordon and Jane on a well-judged run and on being our first winners. I'm sure the other crews will be gunning for them on the next round.'

The next round is the Scottish Borders-based Jim Clark Rally which runs from Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th May.

Final Results:

1. Gordon Nichol / Jane Nicol
2. Nick Rowland / Tim Sturla
3. Niki Bjerg / Arly Larsen
4. Mark Gamble / Steve Link
5. Henry Catchpole / Chris Brooks
6. Ross Forde / Arron Forde - DNF

 

PRESS RELEASE: 14 April 2008

Suzuki Swift Sport Cup kicks off in Kielder

Pirelli International Rally starts the season

The inaugural Suzuki Swift Sport Cup kicks off this weekend with the seven crews tackling the infamous Kielder and Kershop Forest complexes in the Pirelli International Rally, winner of the prestigious Rally of the Year award at last year’s Championship Awards Ceremony. Run over two days, the drivers and co-drivers will face some of the fastest gravel stages in Britain including four night stages.

Based on the popular 1.6-litre 123hp Suzuki Swift Sport hot-hatch, the cars have been identically built by Monster Sport Europe and will make a significant impact on their arrival. The cars have been modified to enable them to tackle the toughest terrain they will face this year with upgraded suspension, brakes and safety modifications.

All the crews will be trying to win the title and prize of a fully-funded drive on this year’s Wales Rally GB in a works Suzuki Swift Super 1600, like the one driven by current Suzuki World Rally Team Driver, Per-Gunnar Andersson to win the 2007 Junior World Rally Championship.

The competing crews come from England, Ireland, Scotland and Denmark, with the Danish Motorsport Federation identifying both the British Rally Championship and Swift Sport Cup as the best way to develop their young talented driver, Niki Bjerg. Niki will be co-driven by fellow Dane Arly Larsen as they tackle their first event in the UK.

Fighting hard behind them will be the Irish pair of Ross and Arron Forde who have been competing with their new car in Ireland in preparation for the series, along with the English husband and wife team of Richard and Emma Boot and the near-namesake Scottish pairing of Gordon Nichol and Jane Nicol.

The youngest driver in the series is 19-year old Nick Rowland who will be co-driven by Tim Sturla. Nick has been receiving tuition and guidance from 2003 overall British Champion David Higgins and will compete under the FX Motorsports banner.

Adding to the championship will be Evo Magazine’s road test editor Henry Catchpole who only recently attained his competition licence. His exploits will be documented throughout the year both in print and on-line. The latest addition to the Cup is Wolverhampton-based Mark Gamble in the Jam Motorsport car. Mark competed on last year’s BRC Challenge series and has some knowledge of the stages the competitors will face.

Suzuki GB Motorsport Manager Ian Robinson comments: ‘It’s been a lot of hard work to get here, but we’re convinced that we have created the best one-make series ever in British Rallying and have a group of drivers that will provide close-fought competition all year.’

The cars will leave Carlisle on Friday evening at 7.30pm to tackle four stages and then having been serviced at Carlisle Airport, tackle 10 more tests on Saturday before returning to Carlisle for the podium ceremonies at 6.30pm.

 

PRESS RELEASE: 4 April 2008

Suzuki Launches Swift Sport Cup Championship

Suzuki is officially launching its Swift Sport Cup series on Thursday 3rd April at the BRC’s 50th Anniversary event which is being held at Chatsworth, Derbyshire – the home of The Rally Show. The launch and opportunity for photography is at 13.45.

Suzuki is unique in offering a manufacturer backed one-make rally series in the UK and is the only manufacturer with a presence in BRC, JRC and WRC. Six crews have already signed up for this exciting and cost-effective way into rallying, five of whom will be in attendance at the event.

The Swift Sport Cup is powered by a 1.6VVT (Variable Valve Timing) 123hp engine and built by the works Monster Sport Europe team. The team will also cover factory re-preparation after each round, transport to and from events, provide Swift Sport awning and ground sheet, factory support with technical advice and on-event parts supply.

Entering in the BRC Rally 1 class, Swift Sport Cup competitors will not only enjoy British Rally Championship class prize money and be eligible for selection in the 2008 Pirelli Star Driver competition but Suzuki will also be offering its own cash incentives and rewards too.

Suzuki GB Motorsport Manager Ian Robinson said: “We have worked hard to create a series which will be ultra-competitive as well as cost-effective, a balance rarely found in motorsport. We are confident that we have done that and are looking forward to the first round on April 18th.”

“Suzuki have been great supporters of the BRC,” comments British Rally Championship Manager Mark Taylor. “They have been providing a ladder for talent over the past few years. The innovative way that the cars are available means that people who may never have been able to compete at this level now can, it’s a great starter package that can only be good for unveiling the great talent we have in British rallying.”

Benefits for Competitors

* The Championship is part of BRC and will include the Pirelli, Jim Clark, Isle of Man, Ulster and Trackrod rallies, as well as the season finale Tempest Rally.
* Best five from six round scores count.
* Stand-alone 30-minute TV programme after each round.
* Suzuki Swift Sport Cup branded overalls.
* Eeze-up and groundsheet supplied free to all registered drivers. This will enhance the high-profile servicing village at each round.
* Arrive and drive concept including factory preparation of each car to ensure highest possible reliability and equality. Competitors only need to bring a van and mechanics to each event. Full technical support provided at each event. Discounted OE parts and free products from championship partners.
* Cars transported to each event making significant savings on ferries.
* Generous start and prize money on every round including bonus for competitors who start all six rounds.
* Two test days (one gravel, one tarmac) included for all competitors.
* Championship winner to receive a prize of a fully funded drive on 2008 Wales Rally GB in a Suzuki Swift Super 1600, or brand-new Suzuki Swift road car and a supported drive in competitor’s own Suzuki Swift Sport Cup car on 2008 Wales Rally GB.
* All competitors eligible for BRC prize fund and championships in addition to SSSC prizes.
* Junior series champion receives guaranteed place in 2008 Pirelli Start Driver selection final.
* All competitors eligible for 2008 Pirelli Start Driver selection on each event.
* Full support of Suzuki GB press office including web presence.

Technical and Equipment Specification – Suzuki Swift Sport Cup

Body / Body preparation -

FIA approved roll cage and rollcage padding set

Safety harness mount

Complete body reinforcement

Axle stand tubes

Painting of inside of vehicle and wheel arches

Seat mount pipe for seat bracket attaching points

Bonnet pins, rear gate pins

Sump guard and attaching kit (support bar and boss)

Fuel tank guard and under floor protection

Proflex shock absorber and spring set (gravel, Tarmac)

Reinforcement of suspension mounting points

Fire extinguisher mounting brackets

Assembly, adjustment and initial set-up

Final completion check

Safety -

Safety harnesses (Sabelt 904183E) (2 sets)

Automatic fire extinguisher (Sabelt ES04)

Hand held fire extinguisher (Sabelt ES07)

Cut off switch & harness kit

Interior -

Footrest for Co-driver (Sabelt Z170460)

Brakes-

Competition brake pad set

Teflon brake lines (wheel arch)

Fuel system

Fuel pipe kit – full system

Engine -

Cup spec exhaust pipes

Free flow air filter

Strengthened engine and gearbox mountings

Uprated clutch disc and clutch cover

Drive train -

Mechanical limited slip differential

Altered final drive ratio

Cross ratio kit (1st gear)

Strengthened drive shafts

Lamps -

Light Pod (halogen type – PIAA lamps)