BBC Sport Presenter Jake Humphrey is to make his rally debut this weekend, as he lines up in the co-driver seat alongside Tony Jardine.
The pair will contest the Cambrian Rally, which starts in Llandudno, and Humphrey’s experience of the rally will feature during the build-up to the BBC’s coverage of one of the remaining Formula 1 Grand Prix of the 2010 season.
Humphrey’s rally outing is part of the Go Motorsport initiative, orchestrated by the Motor Sports Association, and they hope that the broadcast during the Formula 1 show will help promote motorsport, and how people can easily become involved at all levels of the sport.
Speaking of Go Motorsport, Humphrey said “People often look at Formula 1 drivers and think 'I couldn't do that, so there's no way I can get into motor sport', but there are loads of different ways. Co-driving is one of them. If, like me, you've had a go at racing and you realise your forte isn't necessarily behind the wheel, who knows, perhaps your skill is in the passenger seat next to the driver .There are loads of rallies happening around the country and if you want to dedicate a bit of time to it and learn about it, there is every chance you could find yourself involved with something quite exciting”.
Jardine and Humphrey will compete in the ProSpeed prepared Ford Fiesta for the event, and despite a hectic schedule in the lead-up to the rally, Humphrey is going to give it his best shot.
“Obviously the problem with the Formula 1 and working with the Commonwealth Games is that I haven't had the chance to really get my head around this, so I'll be cramming the night before in the hotel before we head out to the first stage. I have absolutely no co-driving experience. When Tony gave me the book with all the pace notes in I hadn't seen any of them before. But I have been learning, I know what 'triple caution' is, so I'm going to say that one extra loud. I'm just hoping that I won't see too many 'triple cautions' because that will start to concern me, particularly if I miss them!”, said Humphrey.
The 2010 Cambrian Rally is the 55th running of the event, and Humphrey is understandably nervous, but feels safe alongside the experience of Jardine.
Humphrey said “I do feel nervous, but because I'm alongside someone who knows what they are doing I feel better. I know that if I get us in a muddle, Tony will get us out of it”.