Tim Sturla, top British co-driver

Personal

Name:

Timothy Sturla

Age:

34

Marital status:

Married

Children:

None

Occupation:

Co-driver. Retail Sales & Marketing Consultant

Place of birth:

Burton on Trent

Country or county where you live:

UK, Leicestershire. Ashby de la Zouch

Does your spouse / partner like rallying?

Tolerates it!

Any other hobbies?

Running, badminton, classic cars

Your opinions

Favourite food:

Cheese

Favourite drink:

Timothy Taylor's Landlord Ale

Favourite film star:

Michael Caine

Favourite holiday destination:

Italy

Starting out

How did you start out?

Joined Loughborough Car Club

First event:

Single venue, Binbrook, Lincolnshire

Rallying background

Type of licence held:

International

Which motor club do you belong to?

Loughborough Car Club

Do you contribute towards your rallying?

Not financially

Have you ever driven on a rally?

No

Did you ever marshal on events? When and where?

Very occasionally, when possible

How many events do you get to watch? (e.g. per year)

Five-ish

How many rallies do you take part in? (e.g. per year)

15 to 20

Have you competed abroad? Where and when?

Europe-wide and Far East.

Your opinions (rallying)

Favourite rally car:

Fisher's silver Gp A Impreza 555, Irish Tarmac car

Favourite bit of road or forest:

Healy Pass, Kerry/Cork

Do you prefer pace notes or map reading events?

Pace notes

Things you dislike about rallying?

Current state of WRC, lack of progression for up & coming drivers.

Who do you think will win the World Rally Championship in 2006?

Marcus Gronholm

Rallying history

Drivers you have sat with:

Brian Bell, John Brown, Damian Cole, Pete Doughty, Bob Fowden, Neil Gatt, Gareth Griffiths, Martin Howdle, Rob Lowe, Saladin Mazlan, Andy Pawley, Leon Pesticcio, Conrad Rautenbach, James Russell, Paul Sanders, Martin Stenshorne, Kevin Vaites.

Best driver you have ever sat with? 

Leon Pesticcio

Best result:

2^nd S1600 (Ignis) Wales Rally GB 2005

Worst result:

Retiring in service Rally Finland 2004

Championships contested:

JWRC 2001
BRC 2002-2004
Italy

Best Championship result:

N/A

Strangest incident on a rally:

Meeting a car coming the opposite way on stage – Rally Malaysia.

Biggest accident:

Nothing severe, thankfully

Achievements gained from rallying:

Rich life, good friends, good times, different places visited, broadened experiences.

Your current performance

Your current driver(s) and events or Championships contested in 2005

Ad-hoc rallies with Leon Pesticcio in Suzuki Ignis S1600. Other rallies as opportunities arise.

And plans for 2006?

How could you improve your 'own' current performance?

More focused concentration, better preparation by relaxing more in between events.

Your future in rallying

Where would you most like to compete (in the world):

Australia

Which rally would you most like to compete in?

Sweden

Ambition in rallying for the future:

To compete outside of Europe, broaden my experience.

The future of rallying

Which up-and-coming rally driver can you recommend?

Leon Pesticcio

Which up-and-coming rally co-driver can you recommend?

Me

What would be the best tip you could give to other co-drivers?

Don't give up the day job!

DATE COMPLETED

17/11/2005