Published at 11:24, Tuesday, 02 December 2008

WITH some stages run in darkness and a weather forecast predicting rain, fog, snow and wind, this year’s Wales Rally GB is expected to be one of the toughest ever.

Muddy, slippery roads, with heavy ruts likely to form over the second run of stages, are awaiting crews who will tackle 217 miles with 19 special stages, starting on Friday.

It’s Scott Martin’s role as co-driver or navigator to tell driver Matthew Wilson of every bend, twist and turn ahead.

The pair completed a recce of the event today and will tonight watch an in-car recording of every stage so Martin can put together his pace notes, which he reads out over their in-car intercom system.

When they race off the blocks on Friday, Martin will be sat so low in the hi-tech, high-powered Focus world rally car to help with weight distribution, he won’t be able to see out of the window.

Using feel, he will navigate Wilson round the event with precise notes giving minute details of the route.

Every stage will be timed to the nearest second, they will know how tightness of every bend and the exact mileage of every stage.

After leaving Brampton’s William Howard School, Martin started life as a mechanic at M-Sport, the company owned by two-times British rally champion Malcolm Wilson which prepares and builds world rally cars.

Now he travels the world as co-driver to Wilson’s 21-year-old son Matthew, competing in events in places like Japan, New Zealand, Mexico and Argentina.

As the only British crew contesting all 15 rounds of the WRC, they are currently lying in the top 10.

The relationship between driver and navigator is pivotal to their success.

Martin, 27, said: “Matthew and I have total faith in each other. It was quite a big challenge going from being great friends to having a professional relationship, but it has worked.

“We travel all over the world together so we live in each other’s pockets, but luckily we get on well.”

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk