MacCrone gets tips from 'Flash'posted in WRC14 | 08 | 2012

SCOTLAND'S YOUNG RALLY ace John MacCrone heads to Germany later this week to start preparations for the next round of the World Rally Championship Academy. And today he got some tips on how to drive fast on tarmac from BTCC star Gordon 'Flash' Shedden.

The 33-year-old from Dalgety Bay is gearing up for the annual visit of the British Touring Car Championship to his home circuit, Knockhill.

Both MacCrone and Shedden will be in action over the weekend of August 24-26 (buy your BTCC tickets for Knockhill).

Shedden took time out this evening to give share some of his 'secret' tips with MacCrone before he tackles next week's tarmac rally (see photo of John's newly-liveried Tunnocks-backed Fiesta R2).

"Who better to get some advice from than Gordon," the 22-year-old from the Isle of Mull, backed by Palletforce and driving the Ford Fiesta of Team Rally Scotland boss Richard Moore, said.

Scots Shedden and Newsham shine at Snetterton

"So far this season all the WRC Academy events have been on gravel: Germany's the first on tarmac.

"Gordon kindly offered to give me some tuition and tips on how to drive quicker on tarmac, so we came up to Knockhill and we're having a blast."

And Shedden, who controversially lost the lead in the BTCC after his Honda Civic was found to have 'overboost' in Sunday's final race at Snetterton, was impressed by MacCrone's pace.

"He's bloody quick," Shedden beamed. "Sure there's a different style to driving fast on tarmac, but if you can drive quick on gravel, you'll be fast on the hard stuff.

"There's a few wee tips I've given John, so I'm sure when he gets to Germany he'll be able to go just that little bit faster."

John MacCrone finishes fifth in Finland

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Jim McGill