Next weekend sees teams from across the UK and beyond head to Wales, for Rali Ceredigion, the fifth edition of the Aberystwyth-based event and its demanding tarmac roads will once again play host to crucial rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and the Probite British Rally Championship (BRC). 

Jonathan Jackson, Head of Rallying, Motorsport UK has had a long career in the sport, having started out attending events through North Wales Car Club with his Dad – although the emphasis was firmly placed on keeping his studies first. Jonathan began competing in 2010 and is now a renowned co-driver, moving up from BRC to WRC events before joining forces with Meirion Evans for 10 years.  

Michael Gilbey, Senior Sporting Assistant, began navigating with his Dad aged 15 years-old on a local Road Rally, before getting the bug while at university and moving into co-driving. He soon began his career in motorsport, working for M-Sport and Hyundai as a team coordinator. He co-drives for Alan Carmichael in this year’s event, in a HYUNDAI i20N Rally2 within the National Class. 

Charlotte Mackenzie, PR and Communications Manager finds out more around just what it takes to co-drive and how to keep that ‘game face’ on… 

What does it feel like being back in Wales and competing in the British Rally Championship on your home soil? 

Michael: “It’s such a big event, I went to University in Aberystwyth, I’m from 20 minutes down the road in Lampeter, where I understand there will a regroup this year. To be competing and driving around on roads that I’ve grown up on… if you’d told me that this was going to be a thing when this event first took place in 2019… I would never have believed it.” 

How do you prepare when co-driving?  

Jonathan: “For the co-driver the event starts a number of weeks before the event is even on the horizon. From the off, with a closed road event you are looking for any indication as to what the route will be, because it can change each year. On a closed road event you have an entire county’s worth of roads that could be used. You can then start to prepare written notes for the driver, remind them if there are sections that have been done before, that you have notes or video for, so that they can start to build up a visual picture of where they are going. The Rally guide is also released, and this helps you with planning and logistics. It’s all about gradually building up a picture of the event itself.  

“The event itself is a process you go through; the key element is the preparation in the weeks leading up to the event. It should almost be second nature before you get there.” 

How do you cope if the relationship isn’t quite so positive with your driver? 

Jonathan: “I’ve been very lucky and haven’t had this. However, if you find yourself in that position, you just have to manage your emotions, treat it as a job, maximise the opportunity for yourself and move on.” 

Michael: “Yes, fortunately that doesn’t happen often! But even when things are tough, you just have to get your game face on; you are there to do a job. If you start letting your emotions control you, it’s so easy to make a mistake.” 

What does the timeframe look like? 

Jonathan: “For Rali Ceredigion you will arrive on the Wednesday when the International teams can start setting up. Recce for the crews starts early on Thursday morning and runs all day. The teams are scrutineering on Thursday , before the action kicks off on Friday morning with Free Practice and Qualifying – something that is unique to the ERC.”

Michael: “For the teams, there are more processes compared to a typical national event… you have to remove the guards from the car and you must have certain components weighed and sealed… it’s quite laborious. For the crew, you are recceing for longer, and you have much more to prepare. Getting as much sleep as possible and managing your time as efficiently as possible is key.” 

Jonathan: “There’s also additional demands such as media, photoshoot work, you might have to do some TV work, the ceremonial start all whilst reviewing and tidying up your notes… there is high demand on your time, so you have to be regimented in how you operate to fit it all in.” 

Aside from the obvious differences, what is it like competing on tarmac or gravel? 

Jonathan: “I’ve done the majority of my Rallying on tarmac so naturally that is my preference, gravel is great fun but on tarmac you get a lot more feel. You are much more connected to the road and to the car. I would say it’s the ultimate! In terms of precision, commitment, the general feeling is the ultimate feeling for me.” 

Michael: “Everything is so sharp in a tarmac car… the feeling of the grip, the cornering, the braking, everything is a lot more intense. On gravel there’s a lot more movement in the chassis, the car moves around so much more underneath you which is essential for carrying speed, whereas if the car starts sliding on tarmac there may be consequences. 

“I probably do prefer tarmac, but the feeling of a well set-up car driven by someone who knows what they are doing on gravel is quite nice.” 

What tips would you have for anyone trying to get into Rallying? 

Jonathan: “The biggest piece of advice I could give is absolutely do it, it is by far and away, the best form of motorsport in the world. It’s an experience like no other but, never do it outside of your means. Always stay realistic in what you can do and what you can achieve.”

“Everybody is very friendly, you will always enjoy it. It’s a bug you can never get rid of – once you are in, you are captured forever. You don’t have to come in with the best car or the best tyres… build yourself up gradually, your best investment will always be in yourself.” 

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