Neil Burgess

Neil has spent time as a computer programmer and latterly worked for Kingpin Media in motor industry PR - primarily for Rockingham. Neil was the teams first competition licensed driver, starting as a navigator for Alison Lock in her 1967 Cooper rally car during 1997, then progressed to drive in the Mighty Mini Championship.

Rallying was still in the blood when Neil became the first person to rally a Mighty Mini racing car in 1999. The year 2000 saw a complete diversion of energy with entry into the highly competitive Safety Devices Championship. A long battle, and lots of learning later Neil and co-driver Anna McColl won their class in this prestigious championship.

2002 Saw the pair tackle the Pirelli British Rally Championship. A pace-setting season realised their ambition of a championship class win at international level in Britain's premier rally championship. Taking the team far and wide, including Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales the championship has provided the ideal springboard into WRC events.

In 2003 Neil and Anna assaulted the Formula 1400 class in the Pirelli British Rally Championship. The pair hit a number of problems and ended up second in that class. Meanwhile Motorsport News Deputy Editor Jim Holder joined the team. With Jim on board the rally team entered the final round of the 2003 World Rally Championship, finishing the Wales Rally GB first in class and 39th overall.

In 2004 Neil had a change of seats in the BRC, codriving for Simon Wallis in his Astra GSi. Neil also finished third in class in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Neil drove Mildred in the first Rockingham Stages rally, codriven by Jo Holland to fourth in class.

Neil hopes to join up with Jim again for another epic event - watch this space. In the meantime he is aiming to codrive for Simon Wallis in the 2005 Barbados Rally Carnival.