Maidstone’s Louise Cook, is on the verge of disaster in the World Rally Championship and may be forced to sell her trophies.
Louise took a brave first step towards her goal to become the first female outright World Rally Champion. Louise entered the WRC feeder series, the Production World Rally Championship in a bid to gain the much needed WRC experience.
Louise’s focus for 2012 is on the 2WD Production Car Cup. Louise is at the wheel of the same Ford Fiesta ST that saw her become British Ladies Rally Champion and Vice Champion of the Fiesta Sport Trophy UK in 2011.
“It was a brave step, maybe too brave, but I believe you can only go for things whole heartedly and give them everything to make them work.” Said Louise
The rules of the WRC mean drivers must nominate their rounds at the beginning of the year. Louise chose only one of the long haul rallies from the 3 available on the calendar in order to minimise the cost and to maximise the time between Rallye Monte-Carlo and Louise’s 2nd round of the championship to try to build a window to bring in the required sponsorship.
“I am on the phone night and day at the moment to gain some support. The UK by day and New Zealand by night. I am trying everything but the budget is huge for New Zealand Rally. It is not easy at the moment and a lot of businesses are struggling, not a good time to try and take the biggest step of your career, but if I waited for all the stars to line up, the opportunity would just pass me by.” Said Cook
The young Brit has now took a desperate resort to bring anything she can into the pot for Brother Rally New Zealand. Louise has listed her hard earned trophies on ebay in a bid to bring in some much needed budget.
“It is a bit extreme to some, but there is only one trophy I want in my collection and that is the World Rally Championship Trophy. If I have to trade my trophies right now to get where I need to get to, then I am willing to accept that. They may even be worth a lot of money one day!” Said Louise.
The young Brit has more than held her own in the World Championship. Louise made a little WRC history on her debut on Rallye Monte-Carlo. By finishing the demanding event, Louise became the first female ever to gain a podium place finish in the Production World Rally Championship. It looks like a good sign of things to come for the young British record breaker.
Louise has showed fantastic consistency in the championship and gained some impressive points. Louise is holding 5th place in the Production World Rally standings, despite being in the £15k 2WD machine against the £90k Mitsubishi Evos and Subaru Imprezas.
If Louise fails to make the next round in a week’s time, Louise will face exclusion from the WRC, all of her hard earned points retracted, a £60,000 fine for the 4 remaining rounds to be missed and will lose her Rally license until young Louise can pay.
“It would be my rally career over in an instant. There is no way I could pay that sort of fine and I can not let the situation happen. If anyone out there who is in a position to help and wants to promote their business through myself and the World Rally Championship then please do not hold back, please get in touch as soon as you can.” Said Cook.
If you would like more information on how you may be able to help Louise please email [email protected] or visit www.cutecookie.co.uk/sponsorship.htm.
To make a bid for the trophies, visit: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110896260401