Christopher Ward 'Need for Speed' 2018
Hall of Fame partner Christopher Ward announces winners of ‘Need for Speed’ competition, supporting British grass-roots motor sport contenders
Christopher Ward, the Motor Sport Hall of Fame’s official timing partner, announced British racing drivers Jody Fannin and Paige Bellerby as the winners of its ‘Need for Speed’ competition, inducting the pair into its Challenger Programme. We look forward to welcoming these talents of the future to the Hall of Fame in June.
The Christopher Ward Challenger Programme was established in 2013 to provide support for grass-roots sportspersons without the resources to compete. In 2017 the firm introduced its Rapide Collection – and last September launched Need for Speed in honour of the new range.
The initial C7 Rapide Collection comprises six new timepieces, four of which will be permanent fixtures in the range: the Quartz; Chronograph Quartz; Automatic, and Chronograph Automatic; plus two limited editions, the Day Date COSC and Chronograph COSC. Prices will range from £395 to £1,560, reflecting the specification and movements contained within. There’s a reliable, robust Swiss-made Ronda quartz movement in the entry level piece, for instance, and the celebrated ETA Valjoux 7750 mechanical chronograph movement in the C7 Rapide Chronograph Automatic.
Launched in September 2017, the ‘Need for Speed’ competition was open to grass-roots motor sport entrants from the UK, and although it set out to recruit one motor sport star, Christopher Ward co-founder Mike France offered both Fannin and Bellerby a place in the Challenger Programme. “We established this programme to ensure that up-and-coming sportsmen and women have the support they deserve, and it’s clear to see that they both possess a real talent in their sports,” said France.
“I’m delighted to become a Christopher Ward Challenger,” said 24-year-old Fannin, winner of the 2012 British GT4 Championship and the 2017 European Le Mans Series (GTE). “What really attracted me to the programme is the brand’s ethos for helping individuals who have had to overcome challenges to get to where they are today.”
British rallycross driver Bellerby, 21, added: “I’m one of very few women competing and, while I’m proud of my achievements to date, there is still a long way to go to break down stereotypes and achieve my dreams. I believe support from the Challenger Programme will help me on this journey.”
www.christopherward.co.uk/challengerprogramme
For more information about the Hall of Fame visit www.motorsportmagazine.com/hof2018