14 replies to this topic

[Katherine]

I have always had this ambition to be a navigator for a rally driver like Richard Burns or Colin McRae, like Nicky Grist was, or still is. What I would like to know, is what qualifications do you need to do the job? I already possess above average map-reading abilities and an excellent academic record (7 A*, 3 A, 1B at GCSE, A Level, ABBB). What other qualities do I need?

[pa]

Nerves of steel and the ability to travel at unnatural speeds on very bumpy, twisty roads while looking at a map in your lap. Sounds easy, but it's not. Most people get dizzy and throw up almost immediately!

[PeaQ]

Propably you need to know a rally driver....

[Katherine]

Oh and PS, I do live equidistant from Cadwell Park and Snetterton.

[Kärjistäjä]

You don't read a map. You have to read pace notes, which tells the driver how the corners will be ahead and various information on how the road is (stones and stuff).

[pRy]

Something mentioned during the UK rally was how McRaes navigator started giving him directions not 1 minute after they had rolled. McRae got going again and immediatly was being fed directions from the navigator.

[John B]

Here's a possible job opportunity....

Alesi Survives High-Speed Rally Crash

Monday November 27th, 2000

French Formula One driver Jean Alesi escaped unhurt from a high-speed crash in the Monza rally
in Italy at the weekend.

Prost Grand Prix driver Alesi, the most experienced man on the current Formula One grid with
184 races to his name, crashed during the event's third special stage at the Monza circuit.

Alesi crashed into an outside guardrail while he was negotiating the banked south curve of the
circuit at 185 kilometres per hour.

His Subaru Impreza world rally car took off for a few metres before spinning in mid-air and then
landing in a ditch.

"Pity about my crash," said Alesi. "I had found the right feeling with the car and was hoping to get
a good result."

[david_martin]

If you want to succeed at the highest level, might I suggest learning Finnish - Juha Kankkunen seemed to be about the only Finnish driver who took his pace notes in English and he has just retired

And girlpower can be a force in Rallying. Michelle Mouton and Fabrizia Pons went within a hairs breadth of winning the 1982 championship.

[Brackets]

Didn't Pons eventually win one with Sainz, or am I mixing up names again?

[david_martin]

I believe that Luis Moya has partnered Carlos Sainz thoughout his career, including his WC's.

Fabrizia Pons did race with Pierro Liati for Subaru for a couple of seasons and they did win at least once (San Marino 1996 ?). Had not the Audi mechanics messed up a precautionary gearbox change during the 1982 Amazon Rally Mouton and Pons would have been World Champions in a works Quattro.

[Katherine]

Thanks for the replies so far, but does anyone know an address where I can write to to get further information?

[Ross Stonefeld]

I'd try Prodrive, but I only recommend that because I know where they are

[Taverol]

Katherine,
Go have a look at this site, they should have most of the information you need.
Tav

http://www.msauk.org/go/gofrm.htm

[kober]

Tina Thoerner (swedish, also with Juta Kleinschmidt) was Raedstroem's navigator at least at one rally this year.

[Amadeus]

Hi,
I admire your ambition but aiming for Nicky Grists job straight off may be a little ambitious!;)

If I were in your shoes the first thing I would do is get in a rally car and see if you actually enjoy it. You mention A levels, so I presume you are UK based - there are litteraly dozens of Rally Schools (check out any car mag). My reccomendation (no, I don't work for them!) is the Shropshire Rally School. The reason I reccomend them is that they are pretty cheap - £150ish for a day - and all drivers are graded. If you reach a certain standard (8 out of 10, I think) then you and all the other high scorers are invited back for a free trial day. The winner of that day is sponsored for a years Rallying, car, support crew, co-driver, entry to three or four rallies, the lot. One person went, got the needed grade and was called back for the trial day. They won that (best student of the year) and they got the years driving.... They now work as an instructor at the school and hold three UK National Ladies Rally Titles.......I know it's driving, but it'll give you a taste, and they'll have some good advice (if you impress them with your enthusiasm.....)

The other piece of advice is to do what all top sportspeople do - start at the bottom. Go to local rallies, hillclimbs, sprints. Join your nearest MotorSport club, talk to people, drivers, crew, co-drivers and (especially) sponsors. At grassroots it is unbelievably easy to get into a competition car. Believe it or not being a female puts you ahead of the game, since (advance apology for sexist comment!) you can probably flatter, flirt and chat up the sponsors into parting with thier hard earned cash a little easier than a greasy bloke with dirty fingernails ;)

And don't neglect the academic side - I would reccomend a Mech Eng degree - you'll be a lot more useful if the car packs in in the middle of a stage, and that gives you another competitive advantage.

Good Luck!!