Carlisle co-driver Jemma Bellingham, made an impressive debut on the Bulldog International Rally of Wales this weekend.

Co-driving from 20 year old Australian driver Molly Taylor, the pair piloted the Monster Sport Europe and MIS Motorsport-backed Suzuki Swift Sport to the finish, winning the first round of the 2009 Suzuki Swift Sport Cup.

The only all female crew in the British Rally Championship beat off stiff competition from five other Suzuki crews, to pick up maximum points.

The girls got the rally off to a good start on SS1 Dyfnant, where she was lying in 2nd place, just half a second off Richard Sykes. Not to be beaten, they continued to claw back time from the other crews, setting four fastest times out of only six stages.

‘Molly only arrived in the country three weeks ago and the shakedown stage on Thursday was the first time she’d actually driven the car, so we were in at the deep-end. We had no idea about how our pace would match that of the other crews so we were really pleased to be setting some quick times throughout the day.’  

The girls went into SS6 Big Ray with a 37s lead over their closest rival, Luke Pinder, focused on doing enough to keep the gap, but without taking any risks which would cost them the event.

Dropping 11s to Luke in the stage, meant that Molly and Jemma completed the rally with a 25s advantage.

‘We had an amazing weekend; to win the Suzuki’s has been a real confidence boost for us. The car was faultless all weekend, surviving the long and tricky stages. We’d like to thank MSE, the Australian Motorsport Foundation and MIS for all of their help and support in getting this season off the ground. We’re now looking forward to the Pirelli International Rally, where we’ll be pushing again for a win.’

Molly, who is backed by the Australian Motorsport Foundation, has recently won their International Rising Star Award for 2009 and is the first female driver to be given the title.

Molly and Jemma are currently seeking sponsorship to support the winning team, to ensure they can complete all six rounds of the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup, in their battle for the title.

‘With the current financial climate, it’s been quite difficult finding sponsors to help us, so we’d love to talk to anyone who’d like to get involved. We’re the only all-female crew in the British Rally Championship and we’ve proved what we can do this weekend’.

The girls will contest the 2nd round of the British Rally Championship, the Pirelli International Rally in Carlisle on the 17th/18th April. Jemma is no stranger to the Kielder Forest complex, with this being her 4th time of contesting the rally.

If you’d like more information on sponsoring Molly Taylor and Jemma Bellingham, email admin@jemmarally.co.uk

Tempest Rally Test

MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi and team boss Paul Denning spend a day testing ahead of the Tempest Rally.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP star Loris Capirossi and his team manager Paul Denning have completed a test session in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup cars they will use on the Tempest Rally, in the UK, this weekend.

The pair completed around 100 laps between them on the bespoke gravel circuit at Turweston Aerodrome in both daylight and at dusk to get first hand experience of the conditions which they will encounter on the 80km course through the forests and military training grounds of Aldershot.

Although both bring previous knowledge of rallying, the session also provided the chance for Capirossi and Denning to once again become accustomed to driving with pace notes, which will be given by co-drivers Craig Thorley and Jemma Bellingham respectively.

“The car is great fun to drive, and I’m really looking forward to the race,” Capirossi said. “It’s completely different to what I’m used to, but the car is very well set up and easy to control.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to compete in the Tempest Rally, and I appreciate the support that Suzuki has provided to ensure that I have the best possible car.”

Denning added that he too was looking forward to taking part in the event.

“The performance of the Swift Sport Cup car is very impressive, and after only a few laps, I was able to develop confidence and understand its limits,” he said. “During the session, there were fewer obstacles on the course than what would be in the race itself, which meant that I could be more aggressive, but when it comes to the rally, I will have to adapt my driving style and take it easier on the throttle.”

“It has been extremely valuable to have had time in the car, and to realise what a good package it is.”

Details for events coming up.

Bulldog International Rally North Wales – 28th March

Pirelli International Rally – 17th & 18th April

Jim Clark International Rally – 22nd & 23rd May

International Rally Isle of Man – 10th & 11th July

Toddsleap.com Ulster International Rally – 21st & 22nd August

Trackrod International Rally of Yorkshire – 26th September