Rally rewind: Portugal 2014
This one was all about tyre preservation
Abbring gets four more rallies with Hyundai
Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed four more WRC appearances this season for its test driver Kevin Abbring.
The Dutchman, and his co-driver Sebastian Marshall, will drive a Hyundai i20 WRC at 72nd Lotos Rally Poland, ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Rallye de France – Tour de Corse and Wales Rally GB.
Abbring was signed in January as a development driver, but with the promise of a handful of rallies throughout the season. He made a surprise early competitive debut in Sweden, where he finished 11th standing in for Hyundai Motorsport N entry Hayden Paddon who, in turn, was substituting for an injured Dani Sordo.
Abbring's upcoming appearances will be be as part of a four-car Hyundai squad, and run under the Hyundai Mobis World Rally Team banner.
"Up to now, the New Generation i20 test schedule has not permitted Kevin to take part in any WRC events, and the second half of the season is easier to mix his test and rally schedule," explained Hyundai team principal, Michel Nandan. "These four events will offer Kevin the chance to gain more experience as a WRC driver and to further enhance our aims at nurturing young driving talent in the WRC.”
Abbring is looking forward to returning to competition after a long stint in his test role. "From a driver’s point of view, testing is nice to get a rhythm and a feeling for the potential of a car, but there is no substitution for competitive rallying," he said.
"It feels like a long time since Sweden and I’m looking forward to being back. Poland is one of the events where I have some of the best memories, having won there in JWRC in 2009. There is a big passion for motorsport there and an incredible atmosphere, so I am glad to kick off my next four WRC events there.”
