Following two years of development and listening to input from users of the existing RW1, the all-new RWII Copilote watch will be launched at Neste Oil Rally Finland on Thursday 17 August. Many co-drivers will be at the event, including past and present champions.
The prototype RW1 co-driver's watch was developed when (in 1998) Robert Thacker -- managing director of AST Limited, the UK's leading stopwatch specialist -- was introduced to George Donaldson, former rally driver and well-known WRC personality. The two joined forces. Donaldson had the vision and Thacker had the technical ability and manufacturing contacts to make the project happen.
Donaldson's regular work in the World Rally Championship brought them into contact with the sports greatest co-drivers, including World Championship winning Robert Reid. Many functions of the watch were incorporated as a direct result of consultation with the top co-drivers.
The first RW1 co-driver's watch was launched in late 2002 and was used by all the WRC works team co-drivers at that time. Word quickly spread and the watch was sold to co-drivers from over 30 countries. However the watch was not without its teething problems.
"At one point, we really did not think that the project could continue, but the loyalty and enthusiasm of the co-drivers made us determined to find a way forward", commented Donaldson. Demand for the watch continued to grow, so in 2004 work began on the specification for a Mk2 co-driver's watch.
"We listened to the co-drivers' feedback and incorporated many of their suggestions and a few of our own ideas into the new specification. We also decided to move production to a new facility", explained Thacker.
An early sample was produced in 2006. The watch was a mock-up for testing the programme functions of the watch and case design approval. Some WRC co-drivers were shown the watch at Monte-Carlo in January. "The initial reaction was very encouraging. They wanted to use the watch straight away", said Thacker. The development process continued, with a production date set for late July 2006.
Engineering samples arrived in late June and were tested extensively. Daniel Elena, Timo Rautiainen and Phil Mills were also given samples to test and the results were very satisfactory. "By early July, we were ready to go for full production", said Thacker.
The new RWII is a completely fresh design, much more robust, with a bigger and better display.
Features include
::: Programmable function list -- de-select the functions you don't need.
:: Dual display -- stopwatch and 'freeze' time of day.
:: A wider range of pre-start options, including next whole minute.
:: Pre-settable time display (seconds, 1/100 second or 1/10,000 hour).
:: The ability to store up to 30 stage times in memory, with a 'stage 0' option
to enter time penalties. The stage time, cumulative time and time of day at
stage end are shown. There is the added ability to change the stage time,
which will automatically update the cumulative times.
:: Six pre-settable timers. The display shows target time, countdown/up time
and time of day, with various linking and pre-start options.
:: A calculator which calculates from any two variables entered: time, speed or
distance.
:: A second, 99-memory stopwatch.
:: Time, date and alarm.
:: Flight mode option.
:: Backlight setting (to keep backlight on for longer during operation).
:: Battery door for ease of battery change.
:: Fixed strap fitting.
. . .and much more!
The RW2 Copilote is available from AST Ltd and leading suppliers worldwide.
- Colin Wilson -
