Group F BMW 325i in Neste Oil Rally Finland - 2007 This opportunity is for those ' Been a rally fan for long & always wanted to get ...
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| Group F BMW 325i in Neste Oil Rally Finland - 2007 |
This opportunity is for those 'Been a rally fan for long & always wanted to get inside the Rally Car', who only dreamt or still dream to be a co-driver for a WRC grade driver, (who drove a Ford Focus WRC prepared by M-Sport, roughly about a decade back). And the driver's name is Antony Warmbold!
To put things clear & straight, you don't get to co-drive in a REAL-rally-event, just with the title of being a 'Rally FAN' or even a 'Rookie Codriver', let alone for a WRC-cadre pilot!
Now to the next obvious question. Who is 'Antony Warmbold'?
Let us allow to introduce himself here!
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| Antony Warmbold |
My name is Antony Warmbold and I want to give back to the sport I love – Rallying! The result is a wonderful opportunity for our lucky winner. I competed as a rally driver in the World Rally Championship in 2003, 2004 and 2005. I got my start in rallying as a co-driver to my father Achim Warmbold, who originally drove with none other than the head of the FIA and former Ferrari team Principal Jean Todt as one of his co-drivers.
I have a desire to pass on the knowledge acquired from my experiences in
the European and World Rally Championships. I passionately believe Motorsport fans should get the opportunity to experience rally sport up close and personal.
What a wonderful concept isn't it! Now let us move towards the business end of it.
How does it work?
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| Gemma Price codriving for Antony |
They will raise some of the funds to finance the project through crowd funding. 21.000 € is the target. As the first part of this competition – each backer (who wishes to enter the selection process) will have to write a short e-mail explaining to me why he/she would be an ideal candidate (max 150 words, see below for address). The minimum donation amount is 10€ and that entitles you to enter the selection competition.
Yes, 10€ and you or someone like you could be in it! Though it is not like, you pay the meager amount and you 'will' get a drive. But it has a selection process to get there, & yeah, a little bit of luck won't do any damage!
Once the project is underway (i.e., successfully funded), everyone will be able to follow the program via the blog, Facebook and a dedicated public YouTube channel.
Now let's understand the process.
Eligibility Criteria, Who can apply?
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| Antony Warmbold in a Rally Car! |
The project is open for anyone who has a car driver’s license, and should be a project backer (as simple as
that!)
In order to take part in the rally with me, it will be necessary to obtain a rallying license from your local Car club or Motorsport authority, whichever is appropriate. This will be looked at in detail on a case by case basis because modalities change depending on where your residence is. Antony will help you with this part.
Upon reaching the target amount (i.e., 21k €), Antony will select 8 candidates from the project backers (i.e., who has paid the humble 10 €, and emailed him their interest to participate). The 8 selectees and he will then hold video conferences which will enable him to start introducing you to the project. At the end of the video conference sessions, he will shortlist 3 candidates. Lets call them 'chosen 3', for familiarity sake.
The program will be covered in social media (ie. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, his blog) therefore as a participant you must agree to appear (film, photo, writing) and be interviewed.
What happens next, to the 'chosen 3'?
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| BMW 325i group F - Rally car |
The
next step will be to meet at a rallying facility in Finland, where the 3
candidates will be introduced to the
co-driver’s job in real-world
exercises. At this point in time an experienced co-driver will assist in
the training.
The objective will be to familiarize you
to the environment of a rally car, practice reconnaissance (or recce as
we know/read about it), note reading at rally speed in a rally car,
changing tires (on-stage), basic mechanical interventions, introduction
to time-controls, road-books, etc.
We will then select
the best of the 3 after the training has ended. Finally, the winner and
Antony will participate together in a rally event.
Brilliant
ain't it? How many times in a lifetime of an average person, like us,
get a chance like this? Well, with my stats, almost never!
How to account in for the training & rally expenses?
All the expenses, till they are inside the 'chosen 3', would be at their own expenses. i.e., email, video-conferencing, and other internet communications.
Then the 'chosen 3' will be covered from the funds raised, for;
Training
- Full transport (to and from) between your home & training area / hotel (Hämeenlinna, Finland)
- If any flights required: economy class
- Accommodation and food (http://www.katistenkartano.fi/en/katinen-manor)
- 3 days on-site for training
- Training stage: 4 km long typical Finnish style forest road (rental, repair costs)
- Rally car: BMW 325i group F
- Consumables (tires, brake pads, fuel, other fluids)
- Insurance for rally car
- Service crew for rally car
- Standard practice car (rental car)
- Consultant co-driver
- Facility manager
- Social media coverage
Rally
- Full transport (to and from) between your home & Rally location (Finland)
- Accommodation and food
- Rally entry fee
- Reconnaissance car rental and service
- Rally car rental and service package
- Insurance for rally car
- Consumables (tires, brake pads, fuel, other fluids)
- Driver/co-driver equipment (All regulation required clothing, helmets, Hans devices, etc.)
- Rally driver / co-driver licenses (To be obtained from country of residence’s automobile club or association or federation)
- Social media coverage
Not covered by budget
- Your own liability insurance
- Your own medical insurance (Make sure with your insurance provider that you are covered abroad or subscribe a specific sports medical insurance for the time of the event)
We are confident that the budget can be reached with the help of you backers; so please feel free to share with your friends!
Finally the Event, & the Rally Car!
The plan is to compete in the Finnish national rally ITÄRALLI JOENSUU (13.06.15) in a Group F BMW 325i.
What and how the rally car sounds & feels like, have a look at this below clip (although not driven by Antony himself)
What is the role of a Co-driver?
Just watch this for the answer!
Still Interested?
Then here are the contact details below of, Antony Warmbold & Thrill Pledge!
- antony.warmbold@gmail.com
- +33 (0) 6 78 63 08 43
Project page
http://thrillpledge.com/projects/passing-it-on
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/Fancodriverselectionprogram
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