A bright young prospect

One of the brightest young prospects in British rallying heads to the forests of Wales this weekend in a bid to secure the British Rally Championship trophy.

James Wozencroft, 23 and based in Ludlow, is currently lying second in his class with one rally left, the Rally of Great Britain, but he remains upbeat about his chances of winning the title.

"We're currently second in the BRC and probably favourite to win the championship," said James.

The Rally GB takes place between November 30 and December 2 and is the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Last year James was a wildcard entry into the event and impressed with a sixth place finish in his class. This year, however, will be different, as James and Chris are fighting for the title.

"I have to drive with my head because I have to win the championship. The car is not the strongest and if I go flat out the car will not finish so I will make sure I finish, get the points I need and not worry about stage times," said James.

See more pictures of James in action and read the interview by clicking on the pages below.nextpage

When most people are growing up they dream of being a footballer, pop star or film star but James has only ever wanted to be a rally driver.

Some of his earliest memories are of watching rallies and this youthful passion for the sport meant he started Autotesting when he was just 12 years old.

He finished on the podium at every event until he was 17, then he brought his first rally car and started entering clubman events.

"It's the only sport I have done that can give me that kind of adrenaline rush. I love everything about the sport, from the speed and excitement to the media attention," said James. nextpage

In 2005 James made a huge breakthrough when he won the inaugural Stars of the Future Championship. He was then selected as a driver in the British Rally Elite scheme.

"Being in the scheme has benefited me a lot. We have been taught about diet before during and after competitions.

"Our fitness is tested regularly, we have weekly programmes and we have received a lot of media training both in front of the camera and on the radio.

"We have been given one-to-one driver tuition, by both a British champion on the gravel and Fernando Alonso's driving instructor on the tarmac," said James.

This year James has been accompanied in his Suzuki Swift 1600 by Chris Ridge who is also from the Ludlow area.

Chris said: "Co-driving for James is great. He's helped me a hell of a lot this year which has been my first at this level. It's a pleasure to sit with such a talented driver." nextpage

As a young, aspiring driver, James had two major role models: Colin McRae and Richard Burns; both British and both World Rally champions.

"Colin was a hero because of his driving style and commitment and Richard because of his attitude to the sport and the way he analysed everything to get the most out of his car," said James.

It was McRae who was James and Chris' biggest hero and his tragic death earlier this year was a sad day for both of them.

"I think it affected everyone in the motorsport world, our first and youngest world champion. He has so many fans and I was lucky enough to speak to him. A brilliant man who will always be remembered," said Chris.

"I met Colin a couple of times but I didn't know him well. His co-driver, Nicky Grist, gives me a lot of support so I met Colin with Nicky. He was always my biggest hero as he was to millions of others, everyone in the sport says he was the best," added James. nextpage

James and Chris are both members of Ludlow Castle Motor Club and this is the best place for any budding drivers to get information and help with starting out in rallying.

"For a young driver the best advice I would give would be to get straight into a championship where there are renowned fast drivers.

"It does not matter if they beat you, it will happen, but you need to be in the position where you have to push yourself as hard as you can to win.

"The other thing I would say is don't get a car too fast too soon, you need to be able to drive a car as fast as it can go before you move up to a faster car otherwise you will not be able to drive it flat out," advised James.nextpage

To get to the level at which James and Chris are competing takes a large amount of commitment, determination and skill but the rewards of being a top rally driver are numerous.

"I live rallying and it takes up all my time. If I'm not actually rallying I'm thinking about rallying or preparing for the next race," said James.

"I have been to some amazing places and done some amazing things that I would never have done without rallying - skiing in Norway, go-karting on frozen lakes in Sweden, signing posters in Germany and I have stood in the middle of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff waving to the crowd with 30,000 people cheering back at me.

"It is the most amazing experience and without rallying there is no way I would have done any of it."

Whether or not James and Chris secure the BRC Super 1600 title at Rally GB, they are both national and hopefully international stars of the future.

By Matt Genner