Full time switch to four wheel drive for Jackson

2020 will see a return to full time rally action for Warwickshire’s Matthew Jackson. Having restricted seat time in the past 2 years due to completing a part time Master’s degree, Matthew heads into 2020 with a number of changes, but as always, full of optimism for a successful year.

With no championship commitments through 2018 and 2019, Matthew relished with the opportunity to try out different machinery in the shape of a Ford Fiesta R2 and Subaru Impreza. Aside from this, an increase in officiating and being part of the safety car team on events across the UK has meant Mathew has still be extremely active across the rally scene.

Moving to 2020, the first announcement has been well received, in the shape of a new car, a Subaru Impreza N12. The name Subaru is synonymous in rallying alongside the builder of this particular car, Prodrive – the team behind the Subaru world rally team efforts from 1989 to 2008. Having sampled four wheel drive machinery, Matthew felt it was the right move to further enhance his skills and experience moving forwards.

‘I can’t tell you how excited I am to make the full time transition to 4WD. I have had some experiences of driving such machinery now, but to be able to focus full time on developing both my driving and the car set up in an extremely competitive environment really is exciting. I know it’s not going to be easy but it’s certainly a challenge I will relish’

The second change in the team for 2020 is the introduction of a new co-driver. Young Will Atkins steps into the navigator’s seat on the quest for further experience and equally strong results. Will has been dubbed as one of the up and coming rally co-drivers in the UK so the whole team is excited to welcome Will to the car.

Matthew and Will are preparing for the BTRDA Gravel championship in 2020, the most competitive national gravel championship in the UK. With events in Wales, England and for the first time in 2020, Scotland, the BTRDA rally championship is certainly a national affair.

‘Both Will and I are looking forward to the challenge. The events and stages are challenging in themselves but also with learning the new car and settling in to the new relationship in the car. We have set our own goals for this year with the main emphasis being on learning and improving with each and every stage mile. We appreciate there are crews out there who have an abundance of experience of the events and the same car so our goal is to work to match the pace of those guys. We are however looking to be as competitive as possible right out the starting blocks so many hours are being spent in the garage, refining the Subaru ready for the year!’.

Due to prior commitments and taking on the Assistant Safety Officer role and zero car driver on the first round of the championship, the Cambrian Rally, the championship in terms of scoring rounds will begin for the pair on the Malcolm Wilson Rally on the 14th March.

As always, the team are reaching out for sponsors and supporters for the 2020 campaign. A range of opportunities are available. Any interested parties who would like to begin a discussion, please email: matthewjacksonrallying@gmail.com

For more information on the BTRDA rally championship, visit: https://www.btrdarally.com/

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