COLNE businessman Neil Simpson is relishing another year in the European Rally Championship in 2015.

Simpson took part in a number of events in the series last year on his return after a 12-year absence from rallying.

The 42-year-old finished second in his Skoda Fabia S2000 in the Legend Fires North West Stages with co-driver Claire Mole last February before going on to compete in events in France, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

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Simpson, who is from Clitheroe but has Skoda dealerships in Colne and Preston, was thoroughly satisfied with his comeback year and is now looking forward to linking up with new co-driver Elliott Edmondson for 2015.

“The season got off to a great start,” he said.

“We did the North West Stages Rally in Blackpool, it was a huge challenge to come back after 12 years out of the sport for me as a driver and a big challenge for the team as well because it was a brand new team literally formed over a couple of months over the Christmas period.

“To come back and do that first rally was a big challenge, but we finished second overall so it was a good start to the season.

“My favourite rallies of the season were the Barum Rally in the Czech Republic on Skoda’s home territory and the Condroz rally in Belgium.

“It was the first rally with Elliott as a co-driver and it was a brilliant event that I’d always wanted to do since I was young.

“I used to go there spectating with my father when I was 10 and 11 years old.

“We finished 10th overall there. I was really happy with that.

“The car performed excellently throughout the year. What a cracking little package the Fabia S2000 is.”

Simpson is relishing the prospect of the new season and believes his participation in the European Rally Championship is also good for his business.

“I don’t think we’ve got any plans to compete outside of Europe, I think the European Rally Championship offers everything we need as a business and as a sport,” he said.

“It is a great opportunity for us at Simpson Skoda to combine our passion with our business and the Skoda brand with our passion for motor sport and the two come together very well.

“The European Rally Championship is tremendous in terms of its scope from a PR and marketing perspective.

“There’s a lot of TV both in Europe and outside of Europe.

“The one I’m really looking forward to this year is the Acropolis Rally in Greece.

“I used to go on holiday to Greece with my family when I was young, it’s a lovely country and it’s a very specialised event in that the first day is on tarmac and the second day is on gravel so you’ve got to change the car specification halfway through the event.

“That’s a huge challenge not only for Elliott and myself but the team as well.

“I’m looking forward to that but I’m also looking forward to the Czech Republic as well tremendous amount of competition from other Skoda Fabia S2000 drivers and indeed R5 drivers, it’s a very strong entry and an amazing pace.

“We finished 10th there last year and I’m looking to improve on that.”