Not only did the Scot guide Jon Armstrong to the FIA ERC3 Championship crown – and secure the Co-drivers’ title in the process (pictured bottom) – he’s also helping a rising talent progress.
Since the summer, the 28-year-old has been co-driving South African Max Smart, one of six drivers contesting the FIA Rally Star Training Season, which carries a full campaign in the FIA Junior WRC Championship for the best four young hopefuls.
On RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada last weekend, Smart delivered his best performance to date by finishing second among the FIA Rally Star drivers. It was his second successive event free of mistakes and he was quick to praise Fair’s contribution afterwards.
“I’m happy with my performance and second among the FIA Rally Star drivers is really good for me,” Smart, 21, said afterwards. “We’ve been working very hard on our consistency, we feel we have that now and this rally was a chance to work on our pace. We improved on every stage and Cam [Fair] was giving me some really good tips on braking, turn-in an exit of corners. I also got some really good advice on tyres from Nicolas Klinger, who is part of the FIA Rally Star team.
“I felt I was able to put all of that together and could gain important experience by keeping it clean. We’ve still got a lot to work on before the Lausitz Rallye but I will use everything I have learned on RallyRACC, as it’s my last chance to try to get a seat in the FIA Junior WRC Championship next year.”
Ahead of the Lausitz Rallye, Fair will partner another young prospect, FIA Junior ERC Championship contender Max McRae, on this weekend’s Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally, a gravel event in Wales. McRae will be at the wheel of a Škoda Fabia R5.
Meanwhile, Ronan Comerford is another ERC co-driver with FIA Rally Star connections. The 21-year-old, who partnered Aoife Raftery on two Junior ERC rounds in 2023, is co-driving Oman rising talent Abdullah Al-Tawqi in the FIA Rally Star Training Season.
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