Parpottas to realise International rally dream
Eighteen year old Hoddesdon student Alex Parpottas is set to begin his first International Rally campaign this weekend as he competes in the first round of the MSA British Rally Championship – Rallye Sunseeker International.
The Bournemouth based event will see Alex make his debut in the British series, the highest level Championship in the UK and a well respected proving ground for the next wave of Rallying talent. Names such as McRae and Burns, both former World Rally Champions, adorn the coveted British Rally Championship trophy.
Alex began his Rallying career in the hotly contested Junior 1000 Rally Championship, a series open exclusively to drivers aged between 14 and 16. After graduating from the Championship in 2010, Alex moved to the Fiesta SportTrophy, where he finished in the top three overall, and the BRC Challenge – the support series to the British Rally Championship – in 2011, a move which saw him gain valuable experience on the six events that make up the British series in 2012.
Alex, who is backed by family run company Buzz Sweets, is to enter the Championship with his Ford Fiesta R2, a car identical to those used in the WRC Academy, built by M-Sport – the team responsible for running the Ford World Rally Team.
The 66 stage mile, one day event will begin with a ceremonial start at Poole Quay on the Friday evening where fans can get up close to all the competing cars including an autograph session and live commentary – a high profile start to an exciting season, with Alex being one of twenty drivers who could finish in the top ten overall come the seasons close in Yorkshire;
“This year is going to be a huge challenge – there’s no doubting that” commented Alex who studies at the University of Hertfordshire, “The entry for the first round is top quality, with so many international drivers coming into the mix. The main aim for me this year is to finish and gain as much experience as we can – the car is still quite new to me but after a recent test session, I’m happy with how it feels so I’m really looking forward to getting to Bournemouth now”
If you would like to follow Alex’s progress during the event, results can be found on the event website at www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk – selecting the ‘Live Results’ tab. Alternatively, please visit the ‘Alex Parpottas Rallying’ page on Facebook and www.buzzsweets.co.uk
