The Motor Sports Association (MSA), governing body for UK motorsport, has selected Rally Team Scotland’s crew of John MacCrone and Stuart Loudon to become part of its national squad, Team UK.
Team UK is a driver development scheme for the country’s most promising young drivers and represents the pinnacle of the MSA’s training structure that has been created to guide young drivers from eight years old through to world championship level.
Just three rally drivers and three rally co-drivers have been chosen to form the elite squad and the pair’s selection is testament to the dedication and commitment exhibited during their inaugural British Rally Championship (BRC) campaign in 2010.
Supported by Palletforce, Tunnocks and a devoted group of important team partners, MacCrone and Loudon posted some stunning performances in their first year of serious competition.
But that first season was a development year and MacCrone was under strict orders from team manager Richard Moore to finish events and get the experience needed to progress.
The selection onto the Team UK squad comes at a vital point in the careers of the young Scottish pair. As they return to the British series for the second time, the support from the Team UK coaching structure will ensure they are improving every aspect of their competitive performance.
Team UK has race and rally coaches who provide specific expertise to supplement the common learning shared across all disciplines. Three-time British Rally Champion Mark Higgins is National Rally Coach while Nicky Grist is National Co-driver Coach.
The content of the Team UK programme is significantly more demanding and focussed than previous schemes, enabling a greater emphasis to be placed on driver coaching and in-car performance. Individual fitness programmes and dietary consultations ensure that the drivers are in the best physical shape, while the application of advanced sports psychology equips them mentally to perform at the highest level.
Exclusive visits to teams from F1 and WRC as well as to leading component suppliers provide invaluable insight into the demands and requirements of a top driver and the squad enjoys access to some of the most sophisticated simulation equipment in the world.
MacCrone and Loudon’s busy schedule starts immediately. They will be attending the Autosport International show at Birmingham’s NEC for the official unveiling of the Team UK squad this week before the first training session at the Porsche Human Performance Centre at Silverstone on 17/18 January.
Rally Team Scotland’s British Rally Championship campaign kicks off with Rally Sunseeker at Bournemouth on 26 February.
John MacCrone, Rally Team Scotland driver, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for me and the selection has come at a very important time. The support of Team UK and Mark Higgins will really help me focus on making a positive change and improving my performance. It’s great that Stuart is involved as well as it will be important for us to work and learn together and to have that level of mutual commitment.”
Robert Reid, MSA Performance Director, said: “John’s performances on his first BRC season with relatively little previous rally experience made him stand out. I’m sure that what he can learn from the Team UK programme, along with the help and support of the coaches and experts, will be a big boost to his 2011 BRC campaign. The addition of co-drivers to the 2011 Team UK squad was always to support a handful of the best UK talent. Stuart has been included in this programme on his own merits, with the added bonus of being on the scheme alongside John.”
– Credit: www.rallybuzz.com