This year I’m very lucky to have backing and additional fitness support from Sport Northern Ireland and the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland. I have been using their facilities from the start of the year alongside my own training schedule. Last week I was at their centre in Jordanstown, Belfast for some fitness testing and analysis. It was a very useful day as I’m in full swing training ahead of Greece which is sure to be the most physically demanding rally of my career.

Onboard from SS4 of IRC Circuit of Ireland thanks to SVS Incar Cameras!

A video of our pre Circuit of Ireland Test thanks to FlyinFinnMotorsport.com.

Click on the link below to see RPM Motorsports, preview of the 2012 Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally.

http://www.u.tv/utvplayer/video/143372

Please click on the link below to hear the interviews from the top 3 WRC Academy finishers on Rally Portugal!

It may take a few moments to load!

http://tbcpods.radica.com/iRally_Radio/iRally_Current/2012%20Audios/2012PortugalPreServiceWRCAcademy.mp3

Some photos from the Academy Shakedown and Service Area!

Please click on the link below to listen to Alastair’s iRally Circuit of Ireland Interview.
http://irallylive.com/ir_pod.htm?00000141

Last Saturday thanks to a competition run by Modern Tyre Service Dermott Sweeney from Belfast recieved his passenger ride with me in my Fiesta R2. Despite Dermott being a rally photograher it was his first time in a rally car and it give me great pleasure to take him for his first spin! Dermott also brought along his camera and caught some of the action from outside the car!

Check out the Gallery for more photos!

On Thursday night I was invited to come along to Limavady Custom Crusiers Motor Club to talk to a young group of drivers about rallying. I brought along my Fiesta R2 and Rory Kennedy also came along to talk about co-driving. The club is supported by the Limavady District Policing Partnership and it aims to get young people into motorsport, and also to educate them on safe driving techniques and car preparation.

Rory and I completed a presentation on our rally exploits and our history in the sport. We also discussed and presented all the safety equipment that we wear on an event and covered the importance of the safety equipment in the car. We also talked about pacenotes and the preparation that we go through before a rally. Rory had some pacenotes from the 2011 Donegal Rally on hand to show everyone and we finished the night by showing some incar footage from the 2011 Donegal Rally in the Fiesta S2000. All in all it was a great night and I really enjoyed talking to the young drivers and sharing my experiences and answering their questions. I would like to say a big thanks to them for the invite.

More photos in the Gallery!

Check out Limavady Custom Cruisers Facebook page for more info http://www.facebook.com/#!/limavadycustomcruisers

Last week I had the pleasure of being the first driver to use Euro Msport’s new gravel test track situated between Omagh and Cookstown. The test track has been purpose built by Mic McCullagh of Euro Msport with the aim of providing drivers with a safe and realistic place to shakedown and test their cars. The track features several different loops providing a good variation of driving scenarios. For further information you can contact Mic on +447875048966. Photographs copyright of rallyimage.com