Dave Weston Junior to contest Rally Spain

Dave Weston Junior has received the perfect 19th birthday present - confirmation of his entry into the Spanish round on the 2009 World Rally Championship calendar.

Junior will compete in the Rally de Espa?a from 30 September to 4 October in an Autotek Subaru Impreza N15, supported by Ramsport who have run cars for the teenager since he began rallying two years ago.

"I had always hoped to contest Spain this year," revealed Junior, "but with the date being so close to the final round of the BRC (British Rally Championship), Rally Yorkshire, it had looked like it might not happen. To find out we had secured an entry on my birthday was fantastic timing - what more could you ask for to make the day special?

"Rob Atkinson from Ramsport put the deal together. He and my engineer Alistair Gibson put 100 per cent commitment into my rallying. It's thanks to them and Autotek that I've got this opportunity.

"I know I have to get into the WRC in some form soon if I want to progress and improve my pace. We'll also do Rally of Great Britain this year and Rally of Scotland. Doing Spain and GB this year gives me experience of the WRC on both asphalt and gravel."

Confirmation of the entry adds to an already hectic schedule for Weston, who will run as course car on the Merrick Forest Stages in Scotland this weekend before a test session with triple British Rally Champion Mark Higgins a week later. After that it's Rally Yorkshire on 26 September, followed by Rally Spain a week later.