Ashes-winning ex-England cricket player Graeme Swann is set to take on a new challenge this week when he takes part in the FIA World Rally Championship finale at Wales Rally GB.
Run by the M-Sport team, Swann will drive a Ford Fiesta R2 rally car in the upcoming rally with the whole experience being filmed for a BT Sport documentary which will be aired later this year.
Swann is a passionate motorsport fan and already held an ARDS motorsport licence, preperation for this weekend has seen him undergo rigorous training to gain his national rally licence under the supervision of the MSA.
Swann said: “I just cannot wait to get started. I am champing at the bit to train, get my licence and learn the car and the famous Wales Rally GB course. Growing up close to Silverstone meant cars and bikes were never far away from me.
“I’ve raced sports cars in the past and am never too far away from races and Grand Prix but this is a whole new level for me. Stay tuned to BT Sport to follow my journey.”
Grant Best, senior executive channel producer, BT Sport, said: “We are delighted to have Graeme as part of our team working across a number of our sports and shows. We are thrilled that Graeme is embarking on this exciting challenge. Everyone is behind him here at BT Sport and we look forward to following his journey.”
Oliver Ciesla, managing director of WRC Promoter added “It’s hard to envisage a greater sporting contrast than a cricket international tearing down tricky forest tracks in a rally car in the World Rally Championship. Graeme has taken on the toughest of challenges and it will be fascinating to see him competing over the same roads as the world’s best rally drivers.”
