Charlie Bean – Swift Junior Rallycross Champion…

Paddock42 caught up with newly crowned Swift Junior Rallycross Champion Charlie Bean, following a hard fought 2014 season, the lad from Ripon took the title in the last round at Blyton Park at the final meeting of the year.

P42: Firstly congratulations on taking the 2014 title, how do you feel?

CB: It feels amazing I’ve worked so hard for this for three years and it’s finally happened, fantastic.

P42: How did you get started in the sport?

CB: Well like many in the paddock I spent plenty of time at meetings watching my parents race. It sows a seed and you can’t help but develop a love for the sport and a desire to compete.

P42: It has been a challenging season for you, tells us about the ups and downs?

CB: Well I’ve had plenty of ups and plenty of downs this year, the biggest high of the year was of course winning the title at Blyton which confirmed me as British Champion. During the season, however, the lowest point of the year was being taken out of the final at Ccroft while leading.

P42: Where would you like to see yourself in a few years? Driving what?

CB: I am hoping to continue my career as a mechanic with OMSE as working for a team on the World Rallycross stage is a dream. Racing wise, I would like to have a go at Super 1600…

P42: Would you fancy having a go at rallying?

CB: Yes definitely, it would be great to compete in a Mk2 Escort an iconic historic rally car through and through.

P42: How much spanner work do you do?

CB: Plenty, its my career but I work on my own cars too. As a driver its very beneficial to know how it works and how to fix it.

P42: Nowadays many drivers spend time in the gym what kind of training do you do?

CB: Not a lot of physical just a lot of mental training really. You can be the fittest driver out there but if your heads not in the right place you wont be able to perform or you will make silly mistakes that will cost you.

P42: Any advice for new drivers looking at getting involved with the championship in 2015?

CB: Rallycross is a great sport to get into and a discipline that will help to develop every driver and with its mixed surfaces it teaches high levels of car control which will only help.

P42: Your championship winning car is now for sale (see P42 advert click here) what are your plans for 2015?

CB: Well not much driving for me planned at the moment but I plan to go back to OMSE and work in World Championship again, its an awesome place to be.

P42: Many thanks Charlie, we wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you back in the UK paddock again soon.