It’s been a busy year of rallying in 2016 for Aussie co-driver, Rhianon Gelsomino. Already, and only four months into the year, she has completed her fifth rally and has had 40 flights.
Rhianon takes up the story on what her season has entailed so far.
“I have just completed my fifth rally and 40th flight. I also have another two events in the next three weeks which I will be competing in, and logistics work at WRC Portugal.
I am loving the challenge of competing in both the Scottish and British Rally Championships for the first time.
I have known John MacCrone, who I am co-driving for in the Scottish Championship, since 2012 when we raced against each other in the WRC Academy, and I am thoroughly enjoying co-driving for him in the Ford Fiesta R5 Evo.
The car is incredible and John is now back to where he was before his horrific accident last year at the Mull Rally. Without our driveshaft failure we would have been fighting for the win at the Speyside Stages event over the weekend. So there are many positives moving forward.
It’s great to be back at the top of the sport winning outright stages. It’s such a great feeling.
Working with young Australian, Arron Windus, I have a different focus to John. Arron is in a learning year where finishing rallies and developing is of the utmost importance. Arron is working on developing his pacenotes further and his speed is improving on every outing.
Arron is learning what it’s like to race in Europe and the dedication and commitment needed in the sport to achieve the results. I am hard on him, but this is making him learn and understand rallying at this level.
So far my experience is going a long way in supporting him and I look forward to seeing the progressions continue.
My planner is full for the year and it’s been crazy busy so far, but I love what I am doing and I look forward to my next event this weekend at the Pirelli Rally.”
RallySport Magazine wishes Rhianon all the best this weekend, and for the remainder of the season.