New co-driver for Saladin Mazlan.

A new year - a new rally program - and a new co-driver. Saladin Rallying has selected highly-experienced British co-driver Jerry Freeman to accompany Saladin Mazlan in this year's Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

The championship begins in a few weeks time with the Rally of Canberra in Australia. In preparation Freeman and Saladin have spent considerable time in the UK familiarizing themselves with car, team and pace notes.

After a few runs through the special test stage in the Hyundai Accent World Rally Car yesterday, Jerry commented: "Saladin's driving skills are first class - I was really impressed, and frankly, at my age I'm not easily impressed by anyone's driving. On one run through the stage Saladin set the fastest time ever, and that's quite remarkable for someone with so little experience of driving a World Rally Car."

Jerry Freeman is no newcomer to the team. He has been responsible for driver development since the middle of last year, and his efforts were clearly visible as Saladin's performance improved towards the end of last year's Junior World Rally Championship campaign. A fifth placing and two championship points earned on the season-closing event, the Network Q Rally of Great Britain, were a nice reward.

This year though, Freeman will be able to assist Mazlan better by sitting alongside him in the upcoming events and tests.

Jerry Freeman's experience of motorsport is without doubt extensive. He began his career in 1976, soon becoming a co-driver, to gain experience wherever possible. In 1982 he was awarded his first professional job with Ford, and continued with them until he started working full-time for tyre manufacturer Pirelli. He was involved with winning the British Rally Championship in a Ford RS200 with Mark Lovell, also the Irish Tarmac Championship, Dutch Championship, Belgian Championship. British National Championship, plus others.

In the 1990s he had the fortune to co-drive for many well known drivers, especially Richard Burns, Alister McRae, Colin Mc Rae, as well as helping many other up and coming drivers such as Mark and David Higgins.

The Asia Pacific Rally Championship this year consists of six events. They will be held in Canberra Australia, the French Pacific island of New Caledonia, the Rotorua region of New Zealand, plus China, Japan and Thailand.