Stuart Biggerstaff has been kept busy in the lead up to this weekend’s UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland Rally. The 21-year-old Dromara rally ace, who is lying joint second overall in the Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship, has been helping to promote the Motor Sports Association’s (MSA) Go Motorsport initiative in Armagh and Larne.
Go Motorsport is the UK’s first ever centrally co-ordinated campaign to encourage new people into motorsport. It is designed to stimulate greater interest in the sport and show a wider public audience how easy it can be to become involved as a spectator, official, marshal or competitor.
Biggerstaff sent his Subaru Impreza World Rally Car to the City of Armagh High School last week, which formed the focal point of a Go Motorsport school visit. Students had the opportunity to sit inside the high-powered car, while the many safety enhancements of a competition car were highlighted.
On Sunday, Biggerstaff again provided the focal point of a Go Motorsport display at Larne’s Ultimate Car Show. Spectators at the show had the opportunity to sit inside his Hankook sponsored rally car, while Stuart helped distribute Go Motorsport stickers and flyers.
“I think Go Motorsport is an excellent initiative,” Biggerstaff enthused. “I’ve been very lucky in that I was brought up surrounded by motorsport, as my dad was a regular competitor. But those who don’t know much about it may find it difficult to know where to go to watch, for example, or how to become involved.”
“Go Motorsport addresses all of those issues through its excellent website at GoMotorsport.net. It really is a fantastic and exciting sport to be involved in, and there are a number of opportunities for everyone to get involved, such as spectating, marshalling or competing.”
Biggerstaff is contesting this weekend’s UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland Rally, which is round three of the Hankook Northern Ireland rally series. The event includes a daunting 18-mile night stage, and will be a real baptism of fire for the 21-year-old driver.
“There will be no heroics this weekend,” Biggerstaff admitted. “If I get to the finish, I’ll be happy, regardless of finishing position. It’s my first closed road rally, so it will be a huge learning curve. But I have some great sponsors on board, including Hankook, so hopefully I’ll get to grips with everything fairly quickly!”
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