Portugal debut for Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy
Rally de Portugal is the opening round of the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy, an all-new competition for 2014 that boasts a capacity line up of 24 drivers and co-drivers from 10 different countries.
A collaboration between WRC tyre supplier DMACK and Ford’s rally partner M-Sport, the series will take in five European rounds of the world championship and has been designed to provide an affordable option for upcoming drivers to experience rallying on the world stage.
Drivers will use DMACK control tyres and race identical 1600cc Fiesta R2 cars, built and maintained by M-Sport. Top prize is a full season in the 2015 WRC 2 championship at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta R5.
The twelve crews registered for the inaugural season have a diverse mix of experience. Four have never tackled a world championship rally before, while at the other end of the scale Dani Sordo’s former co-driver Carlos del Barrio will start his 83rd WRC event this weekend.
There are also four of the top-five drivers from last year’s Junior WRC series – Yeray Lemes, José Suárez, Sander Pärn and Marius Aasen.
Other notable entries include British Rally Championship frontrunner Tom Cave and Max Vatanen, the 23-year-old son of 1981 world champion Ari, who will make his WRC debut this weekend.
Dick Cormack, DMACK managing director, said: “After an exciting build-up to the season, it’s great that we are finally set for the first round. It’s a tough rally with abrasive surfaces that really test tyre durability – so there’s a lot for the drivers to think about regarding tyre management.
“I’m proud that we’ve reached this stage. The DMACK brand has been founded on high-level competition at an affordable price and this series epitomizes just that. We’ve managed to offer a superb prize so I expect competition to be fierce all year.”
For more information about the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy visit DriveDMACK.com