Day in the life:
Mark Lowe,
WRC engineer

08:30hrs: “We have a meeting to discuss the logistics for the upcoming rallies. We also discuss personnel movements, a pre-event test and notes from previous events.”

09:30hrs: “Back at my desk checking emails, my main role is focused on our customer WRC programme. The next round is Finland and although it’s been a few weeks since New Zealand, all the cars have had a complete bare shell strip and rebuild so the workshop is very busy at the moment. I catch up with our workshop supervisor David Lindsay to see how progress is going and talk through any issues that have arisen. Before each event I produce a build specification for the car as the car specification will change from event to event. This will often need to be amended slightly nearer the time as we have a test and development programme that is constantly running. We also discuss any new parts that will be introduced.”

11:15hrs: “I catch up with each technician building the customer Finland cars to discuss how each assembly is going and to pass on any new information. We are running four Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Cars in Finland: Evgeny Novikov, Ott Tanak, Mads Ostberg and Ken Block. That’s followed by a phone call with Katie Jackson, M-Sport’s hospitality manager to talk about some upcoming PR events, guest numbers and car requirements.”

12:30hrs: “It’s time for lunch! We have an onsite canteen in Dovenby Hall so I grab some lunch from the canteen and sit down for 45 minutes with colleagues.”

13:30hrs: “A call to Ott to discuss Rally Finland and we have a quick chat about the event format and then focus on the car set-up we would like to start with. Then it’s a conference call with Richard Millener, M-Sport’s client liaison manager, and one of our clients to discuss an asphalt event and how M-Sport can help their drivers make improvements with set-up and driving.”

16:00hrs: “Two of our customers are testing before Finland so I look into what test options they would like to try and start compiling a truck load list so we have the right parts in the right places. With all the trucks we take to a European event, it’s easy for something to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This also involves liaising with each department head.”

17:00hrs: “I look over data downloaded from a car in Belgium with a colleague to try and ascertain a small issue they are experiencing with engine response. Then I have a catch up with our number one technicians and workshop supervisor to see how progress has gone this afternoon. By now it’s 18:15hrs and home time.”