Fisher excited ahead of Circuit of Ireland start

Alastair Fisher says he cannot wait for the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally to get underway on Friday.

The 23-year-old from Northern Ireland is contesting selected rounds of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season starting with his home event from 6/7 April.

He will drive the same M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 Mikko Hirvonen used to win Rallye Monte-Carlo when it opened the IRC season in 2010.

How much of an advantage will your local knowledge be against the regular drivers from the IRC?

“I don’t know the stages, just the area. At the end of the day the top teams will still have a good set-up and will be very fast although we may have a bit more confidence at the start because we have an idea of just how slippery it is if it rains.”

Given the fact you’ve spent the last week competing in Portugal, how much preparation will you be able to do before the rally starts on Friday?

“I’ve been working very hard on my fitness over the winter and I will be aiming to get a couple of sessions in between Portugal and the start of the Circuit. In terms of driving the car we are testing on Wednesday using two different roads. One is quite fast, the other is more technical so that will give us a good all-round feel for the car and set-up.”

The rally starts with a stage in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. How good will that be?

“It’s obviously special because it’s the 100th anniversary and the Titanic is recognised all over the world. It should be exciting but it’s the sort of stage where you have to watch you don’t clip a wheel or do something stupid because you have the bulk of the mileage to come that night and you don’t want any damage.”

Your late uncle Bertie Fisher is synonymous with the Circuit of Ireland. What does it mean to you to be following in his footsteps?

“It’s very, very special because what Uncle Bertie achieved winning the rally three times and everything else he did in his career is something I’m very proud of. I certainly hope I can do a good result but it’s a long way between now and then. I just have to focus and do the best I can.”

And you’ll be working with Bertie’s former co-driver Rory Kennedy. What can you learn from him?

“He’s a very professional co-driver, very experienced and a legend in Irish rallying. For him it’s very special to be competing on the Circuit again. He’s looking forward to it just as much as I am.”