Friday | 16 Oct 2015

Fiesta four face frantic finale

Four drivers have a realistic opportunity of lifting the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy which goes down to the wire at the final round in Spain next week.

All have stood on the top step of the podium in the opening four rounds and with double points up for grabs at the mixed surface Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada (22 – 25 October), there is everything still to play for.

Mathematically, seven drivers can still win, but in reality the destiny of the crown comes down to a shootout between Marius Aasen (above), Max Vatanen, Tom Cave and Ghislain de Mevius. All are driving 1.0-litre turbocharged Ford Fiesta R2 cars.

Points will be awarded after Friday’s predominantly gravel leg, with a second set on offer at the finish. The fastest driver on each of the 23 speed tests earns a point, meaning a maximum of 73 are available.

Aasen, who won in Poland, heads the standings. “We’ve been working hard since Germany, testing and participating in some rallies in my own Fiesta R2. Driving a consistent rally and remembering there are double points on offer will be challenging,” said the Norwegian.

Max Vatanen - second in the points

Five points behind is Vatanen, who opened the year with victory in Portugal, and the Finn outlined the importance of the title. “It would be a huge step in the right direction for my career and becoming a professional driver. It will be important to focus on the race and not the reward.”

Tom Cave, last year’s runner-up, is 17 points off the lead in third with Ghislain de Mévius the outsider of the quartet, a further nine points back.

The race for the rookie title will also be decided, with Dutch drivers Mats van den Brand and Kevin van Deijne battling with Brit Gus Greensmith.

Former WRC Academy frontrunner Brendan Reeves is one of three drivers making a one-off appearance. He is joined by Guillaume de Mévius, brother of Ghislain and making his WRC debut, and Northern Ireland’s Jon Armstrong.

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