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Category: WRC, Rally
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Kenyan President William Ruto gets a spin at Rally Kenya: WRC
Lake Naivasha (Nairobi, Kenya), 21 June 2023: Kenyan President William Ruto was on hand in Naivasha, Kenya on Wednesday 21 June to wave off the 70th edition of Safari Rally Kenya (22-25 June), before being given a front-row experience to the FIA World Rally Championship.
Accompanied by Sport Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, Ruto first visited the rally’s service park near Lake Naivasha and mingled with crews before strapping himself into the co-driver’s seat of Pierre-Louis Loubet’s M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid for a high-speed run through shakedown.
Ruto, who will return to the event on Sunday to celebrate with the winners at Hell’s Gate, was taken aback by the experience.
“I don’t know what to say, that thing is crazy!” he beamed, gesturing towards Loubet’s Puma. “Absolute madness – but it is an experience you cannot forget. The sheer speed, you can hardly see the road, you can hardly see the bend. These guys are really professional, it’s a life-changing adventure.”
Ruto went on to emphasise the countrywide impact WRC is having on Kenya, adding: “It is not just about the rally car, it is not just about the drivers, it is not just about the support teams – it is a whole of Kenya event. The carnival, the excitement, the celebration – it is just that captivating.
“Millions of Kenyans are engrossed in this. We will have great difficulty tomorrow and Friday to keep everybody at work! Those who have reasons will look for those reasons, those who don’t have reasons will look for excuses. I will be working tomorrow, unfortunately for me,” he joked.
When the action gets underway in Nairobi on Thursday afternoon, championship leader Kalle Rovanperä will be the driver to beat as he hunts down back-to-back Safari wins in a Toyota GR Yaris. Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta all helped to complete a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Japanese marque here 12 months ago and all are back again this rime round.
Hyundai hopefuls Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi and Dani Sordo start the rally buoyed by a double podium last time out in Italy, although Lappi admits he is entering the unknown on his maiden Safari outing.
Ott Tänak, third in the points, spearheads M-Sport Ford’s charge. The Estonian teams up with young Frenchman Pierre-Louis Loubet as well as Greek privateer Jourdan Serderidis in identical Puma cars.
Long straight roads contrast with rocky rutted tracks and deep fesh-fesh sand that can reduce cars to little more than walking pace. And, to add to the excitement, thunderstorms are predicted during the four-day encounter. If the forecasters are correct, rain could transform the dry sections into treacherous mud baths in minutes.
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Team MRF Tyres takes a dominant win on Rally Liepaja
Liepaja (Latvia), 19 June 2023: Team MRF Tyres has dominated the The Rally Liepaja, the fourth round of the 2023 FIA European Rally Championship with a double podium for MRF Tyres here on Sunday.
Team MRF Tyres drivers Martins Sesks and Renars Francis won the rally by over 41 seconds, taking seven stage wins from the nine stages completed.
They took maximum points, winning an incredibly tight Powerstage by 0.005 seconds to end the weekend on a high.
The Lativan duo, in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, had the rally in control from the outset. They also set the fastest time in qualifying and then made it look easy on the stages.
However, the Latvian roads demanded total confidence and precision from the team, car and from MRF Tyres, and they delivered with aplomb.
With top speeds on the stages topping 120kmph on the loose gravel roads MRF Tyres and Sesks were in absolute control.
The success for MRF Tyres continued with Mads Ostberg and Patrik Barth as they finished third for the MRF Tyres Dealer Team in their Citroen C3 Rally2.
The Norwegian team set competitive times throughout the rally to take their second podium of the season.Team MRF Tyres saw an additional two cars inside the top 10 with Spanish duo of Efren Llarena and Sara Fernandez coming home in ninth ahead of Italians Simone Campedelli and Tania Canton.
With two wins in a row, Sesks and Renars close in on the title lead and sit in second in the Driver’s standings.
Furthermore, Team MRF Tyres has extended its lead at the top of the Team’s Championship.
The next round of the FIA European Rally Championship is the Rally Sweden, taking the crews to a new gravel round in the Scandanvian summer.
Martin Sesks, Winner, said: “What in incredible rally! I must thank my team and MRF Tyres for giving me such a fantastic car. The tyres were amazing throughout the weekend and really allowed me to push. To win at home once again was amazing. There were so many fans lining the stages! I am looking forward to the next round in Sweden.”
Co-driver Efren Llarena said: “We are finding the speed we need this year. The MRF Tyres have been brilliant and we are looking forward to getting back out and really proving our pace. I would like to congratulate Martins, Renars on their victory and also to Mads and Patrik for their podium on MRF Tyres!”
Simone Campedelli of Team MRF Tyres said: “This is a challenging rally! The roads are so fast and challenging and you earn every point in this Championship. I am really happy to have a clean rally and the MRF Tyres car has been great. Let’s look forward to Sweden and congratulations to Team MRF Tyres and Martins, Renars for their win!”
Overall results for MRF Tyres drivers1. Sesks/Francis (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)
3. Ostberg/Barth (Citroen C3 Rally 2) +1:04.0
9. Llarena/Fernandez (Skoda Fabia2 Rally evo) +2:18.3
10. Capedelli/Canton (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +2:27.4
13. Mabellini/Lenzi (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) 3:01.0
16. Radstrom/Johansson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) +4:00.7 -
Martins Sesks-Renars Francis of Team MRF Tyres win: Rally Poland
Orlen (Poland), 22 May 2023: Mārtiṇš Sesks charged to his second victory in the FIA European Rally Championship after he fended off and then pulled clear of title leader Hayden Paddon to win ORLEN 79th Rally Poland on Sunday (May 21).
MRF release:
Team MRF Tyres took a dominant victory in the third round of the FIA European Rally Championship with Martins Sesks and Renars Francis putting on a master class in the ORLEN Rally of Poland.
The Latvian duo started the day with a lead of 8.2 seconds and proved untouchable throughout the day. They took a further four stage wins and pulled their lead out to almost 40 seconds in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 to take their first win of the season and the second of their career. Over the rally, Sesks and Francis averaged 115km/h on the fast and narrow roads that demanded grip and confidence.
Martins Sesks, winner, Team MRF Tyres, said “The Team MRF Tyres car was unbelievable this weekend. The MRF Tyres were just fantastic through the rally and gave me the confidence to push through! I am thrilled to take my second win in the FIA ERC and I would like to thank the team and everyone back in India for making this happen. Rally Poland was something special and I am looking forward to getting back to Latvia for the next round.”
The tyres had to contend with rocks being drawn onto the line, and the MRF Tyres stood the test of toughness that was demanded throughout the rally.
In total, there were six MRF Tyre cars that won points in this rally.
Efren Llarena, Denis Radstrom, Pontus Tidemand and Simone Campedelli were the other point scorers for team MRF Tyres. Team MRF Tyres continues to lead the Team Championship, while Sesks moves to second in the Driver’s Championship.
As it happened
The FIA ERC now moves to Rally Liepaja in Latvia for another fast gravel rally, one where Team MRF Tyres and Martins Sesks reigned supreme in 2022.
With Renars Francis co-driving his Team MRF Tyres-entered Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Sesks completed Saturday’s opening leg 8.2s ahead of Paddon.
Although Sesks initially appeared to be on the defensive when his BRC Racing Team rival won Sunday’s opening test to narrow the gap to 7.4s, it wasn’t long before the 23-year-old Latvian sprinted clear to win ahead of Paddon by 39.6s.
“It feels really special, doing it at home is one story in front of a home crowd, but doing it here in Poland is completely different, it shows the car, the team, the tyres, we’re all ready to fight,” said Sesks, who moves into second position in the provisional standings, 37 points behind early pacesetter Paddon. “It feels so good to be driving for such a good team with such a good car. It’s a pleasure and to be able to perform at such a high level it’s really good. Everyone wants to make a statement but in our minds we want to keep our heads down and just do our work.”
Paddon’s high-paced endeavour on SS9 came at a cost as he completed the stage with a damaged front-right tyre, which would have a major bearing on the outcome of the victory fight. With only one spare Pirelli on board his Hyundai i20 N Rally2, Paddon had to make a tough decision.
“We either kept pushing like we were doing but then you risk another puncture and you retire,” he said. “When you’re thinking about the championship and the points on offer it’s about playing the smart game and that’s the decision we had to make.”
After setting a succession of top three stage times, Michelin-equipped Miko Marczyk completed the podium on his home round of the ERC having won the event last year.
“I am very happy because probably our pace was better than last year when we won the rally,” said the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 driver. “If someone told me before the race I would finish between Hayden Paddon and Mads Østberg I would say for sure it’s perfect. The best guy won the rally.”
Josh McErlean (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) started Sunday’s action 1.5sec ahead of Mads Østberg in the battle for fourth, only for a high-speed spin 1.6km from the start of SS13 to drop him to seventh, poor reward following a strong performance from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver. Østberg won the Power Stage on his way to finishing fourth in his MRF Tyres Dealer Team Citroën C3 Rally2.
Overnight set-up changes designed to stop Mikko Heikkilä having to “fight with the car” transformed the Finnish champion’s prospects as he moved up from eighth at the start of the day to fifth in the overall ranking aboard his Michelin-equipped Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.
Mathieu Franceschi completed the top six after his cautious approach to Sunday afternoon’s stages paid dividends for the young French driver, who marked his 24th birthday by scoring his first Power Stage points in fourth in another Michelin-shod Fabia Rally2 Evo.
Simone Tempestini followed McErlean home in eighth, while Erik Cais finished in a confidence-boosting ninth followed by European champion Efrén Llarena.
Filip Mareš scored ERC points for the second event running in 11th having lost more than 40s rolling on Saturday morning. Dennis Rådström finished 12th on his first ERC event aboard a Rally2 car with his GN Motorsport team-mate Pontus Tidemand placing 13th after a spin and reverse on SS14. Grzegorz Grzyb was next up in 14th closely followed by Simone Campedelli who hit back from going off into a field on SS14. British champion Osian Pryce placed 16th on his ERC debut.
Andrea Mabellini was eighth when he went off the road into haybales on SS13 and rolled. He eventually regained the road but retired shortly afterwards. The Italian had never driven on high-speed gravel stages in a Rally2 car making his late exit tough to take.
Jon Armstrong won the FIA ERC3 category in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 with Ola Nore taking spot in FIA ERC4 driving a Renault Clio Rally4. The Norwegian also won the FIA Junior ERC category, which attracted an impressive 16-car entry for the opening round of the championship’s 10th season and the first with Hankook as the official tyre supplier.
The ERC’s three-event tour of high-speed gravel events continues next month when Tet Rally Liepāja hosts the fourth round of the ERC season from June 16-18.
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Solid podium for MRF Tyres at Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria, 6 May 2023: Efren Llarena and co-driver Sara Fernandez won a solid podium for MRF Tyres in the 47th edition of the Rally Islas Canarias which concluded here on Satureday.
It helped the Indian tyre giant’s rally team to continue on their improvement curve on the tarmac surface.
Yoann Bonato is a two-time winner in the FIA European Rally Championship after a sublime drive to victory on Rally Islas Canarias today.
With fellow Frenchman Benjamin Boulloud co-driving, Bonato started leg two 11.0s in front of European championship leader Hayden Paddon. He eventually triumphed by 36.9s following a day dominated by the changeable weather conditions – and some seriously close competition throughout the field.
Paddon takes crucial second
Paddon extended his title advantage in second place with defending European champion Efrén Llarena coming home third. Jon Armstrong claimed FIA ERC3 honours, Bendegúz Hangodi inherited the FIA ERC4 victory after long-term leader Roberto Daprà retired, while Michelin was the Winning Tyre.
Efren Llarena & Sara Fernandez excel for MRF Tyres
Between the team MRF Tyres crews, Efren Llarena together with Sara Fernandez finished in 3rd position: working on car setup throughout the day paid off as the two closed the event with a solid podium.
In the top ten also Martins Sesks and Renars Francis who reached the finish in 8th position: the Latvian driver managed to gain some positions by finding a better feeling with car setup stage after stage, together with a better physical shape after some health issues in the previous days.
Sadly, Simone Campedelli and Tania Canton had to retire during the last road section due to a technical issue: Simone was gaining some positions with a consistent run during the whole day.
Fastest Crew
What a day for Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi! they have been the fastest crew among the Dealer Team drivers, claiming their maiden ERC stage win in SS11. An unfortunate weather change in the morning meant he lost almost all the time gained yesterday but the young Italians managed to climb up as much as possible in the remaining stages with an aggressive driving style and they completed their crescendo with the second stage win on the power stage and a final 12th place. They are followed by Mads Ostberg paired with Patrik Barth in 18th position: the Norwegian kept working on the car’s setup and times on the boards showed that the direction taken was the right one.
Italian duo, Andrea Nucita – Rudy Pollet positioned their car in 6th position in the final classification: satisfaction for his improved driving style setting the target to keep his pace as much higher as possible. For Bogdan Cuzma – Ilka Minor a solid event: positively impressed with the Medium compound behavior within the wet and damp and some good mileage for the next tarmac events to tackle. Unfortunately, Javier Pardo and Adrian Perez, has been forced to retire due to a double puncture in SS9.
About the Rally Islas Canarias
With the stages climbing and descending at a frequent rate, drivers pay close attention to corner speed and lines to ensure optimal momentum is maintained, while precise car set-up and pacenote accuracy are vital. One of the notable features of the sealed stages is the abrasive surface, constructed partly from volcanic lava. It means grip levels are high and remain constant if it rains, although tyre wear can increase in dry conditions. However, with the opportunity to take ‘cuts’ through corners limited, the roads remain relatively debris-free. The rally’s 47´th edition marks a return to a more traditional May date.
Final provisional classification:
3. Llarena Efrén – Fernández Sara +53.4
6. Nucita Andrea – Pollet Rudy +1:15.0
8. Sesks Mārtiņš – Francis Renārs +1:33.8
12. Mabellini Andrea – Lenzi Virginia +1:47.5
16. Østberg Mads – Barth Patrik +2:36.9
21. Cuzma Bogdan – Minor Ilka +11:04.6DNF.Pardo Siota J. – Pérez Fernández A.
DNF. Campedelli Simone – Canton Tania -
WRC Round 4 resumes in Croatia on a sombre note: Craig Breen remembered
It’s a return to Tarmac and Croatia for round four of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship for what will be a sombre occasion following the passing of Craig Breen in a team testing accident last week (Thursday).
Zagreb, 17 April 2023: While the 33-year-old’s death has left the entire WRC community in a state of shock, Croatia Rally’s third appearance in the world championship presents an opportunity for his peers to honour his memory.
Croatia follows on from Rally México where a second victory of 2023 for Sébastien Ogier has put the eight-time WRC champion on top of the provisional standings, albeit with a slender three-point advantage over Thierry Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä, the defending champion, is just one point further back. Rally Sweden winner Ott Tänak is fourth for the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, nine points adrift of Ogier, with Elfyn Evans 12 behind his Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate.
Taking place from April 20-23, Croatia Rally first hosted the WRC in 2021 when Ogier overtook and beat Evans by 0.6s in a thrilling final-stage battle. The top two positions were also reversed on the deciding stage last season, as Rovanperä defeated Tänak.
As well as counting for overall FIA WRC2, FIA WRC2 Challenger, FIA WRC3 and FIA WRC Masters, Croatia Rally forms round two of the FIA Junior WRC Championship, which is currently led by William Creighton following his victory in Sweden.
THE ROUTE IN SHORT
Croatia Rally organisers have elected to follow a tried and tested route, albeit with some minor adjustments.
The Stojdraga – Gornja Vas stage on leg one now runs through to the village of Hartje, a move that has increased its length from 20.77 to 25.67 kilometres and the rally’s timed distance to 301.26 kilometres. Replacing Jaškovo – Mali Modruš Potok, the Ravna Gora – Skrad stage, meanwhile, is new for 2023 and takes place on leg two.
Getting underway on Thursday, April 20 on the 3.65-kilometre Shakedown stage near Okić, an ancient town with records dating back to 1193, the National University Library and Zagreb Fountains is home to the Ceremonial Start from 18h30.
The Samoborsko Gorje, Žumberak and Karlovac hills west and southwest of host city Zagreb on Friday, April 21 provide the setting for four repeated stages run either side of service at the Zagreb Fair exhibition site.
Four more double-use stages west of Zagreb and split by service in the capital offer the challenge on Saturday, April 22 with leg two’s Platak stage including a section in view of the Adriatic Sea.
The deciding leg on Sunday, April 23 is formed of two stages that run twice and start with Trakošćan – Vrbno, the rally’s northernmost stage. The day also features the 14.09-kilometre Zagorska Sela – Kumrovec Power Stage from 13h15 CET with the INA building located adjacent to the service park providing the backdrop for the podium finish from 15h30.
CROATIA RALLY DATA
Stage distance: 301.26 km
Total distance: 1650.68 km
Number of stages: 20
SUPPORTING CATEGORIES
Twenty crews are entered for the WRC2 category with the three class winners of 2023 – Yohan Rossel (PH Sport Citroën C3 Rally2) plus Toksport Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 pair Oliver Solberg and Gus Greensmith – all in action. Nikolay Gryazin will also contest the country’s WRC round along with a number of others, including Sami Pajari, Czech driver Erik Cais and Adrien Fourmaux, who is representing M-Sport.
Croatian brother and sister Martin and Dora Ravenščak are among the WRC3 crews getting a taste of the world championship competition, while eight fellow rising talents are in contention for the Junior WRC victory. They include the Junior ERC champion from 2022, Laurent Pellier and Belgian Tom Rensonnet, who is supported by the RACB National Team initiative from his national ASN.
WHAT’S NEW IN THE WRC FOR 2023?
– WRC2 Junior becomes WRC2 Challenger as the criteria switch to focus on competitor experience rather than age
– WRC2 Masters for drivers 50 or over in Rally2 cars expands to also allow Rally3, Rally4, Rally5 and RGT cars. The name has changed to WRC Masters as a result
– Central European Rally featuring stages in Austria, Czech Republic and Germany joins the WRC schedule for the first time in October
– To further promote sustainability, testing away from nominated test venues for Rally1 manufacturers is cut from 28 to 21 days
– In the interests of reducing the hours that volunteer officials must be in duty, morning service on gravel events is removed from the itinerary
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MRF Tyres mourns the death of Craig Breen, the 33-year Irish driver
Croatia, 13 April 2023: Popular and beloved Irish Rally driver Craig Breen died on 13 April 2023 at the age of 33 after a crash driving his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 rally car in a testing session for the 2023 Croatia Rally.
The front left wheel of his car collided with a pole on a road between Stari Golubovec and Lobour at 4.10 pm IST (12.40 pm local time) fatally injuring Breen. Breen’s co-driver James Fulton was uninjured.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem: “On behalf of the FIA, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Craig Breen following his passing during a private testing accident in Croatia. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the entire Rally community at this difficult time.”
MRF Tyres Motorsports handle, with motorsports head Madhusudhan Rheinus, said: “MRF Tyres will always remember the start you gave us to our ERC journey. Rest in peace Craig (Breen), you will be missed.”
Craig Breen and Paul Nagle take 2nd place on Saturday in Liepaja rally. An MRF image file photo of 3July2022 “The crash is being investigated by the team and the Croatian authorities, with the police confirming a fatal accident on that stretch of road at 12.40 pm local time,” said a dirtfish.com post.
INDIAinF1.com received a statement from Hyundai team as it prepared for the next week’s Croatia rally. It offered condolences to the family.
Statement from Hyundai Motorsport
April 13, 2023 – Hyundai Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that driver Craig Breen today lost his life following an accident during the pre-event test for Croatia Rally.
Co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the incident that occurred just after midday local time.
Hyundai Motorsport sends its sincerest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and his many fans.
Hyundai Motorsport will make no further comment at this time.MRF and Craig Breen
MRF and Craig Breen are associated for last year’s ERC campaign where MRF won the Overall Championship. You can watch Craig Breen here.
(Hear from Team #MRFTyres driver (late) Craig Breen after he took three stage wins in December 2022, a superb Sunday action of Rajd Polski at Rally Poland. It was the first FIA ERC gravel stage win for MRF Tyres. MRF also took second in Leg 2, proving the pace of the Indian-based company’s tyres.
MRF sends condolences to the family and friends of Craig Breen. We are shocked and deeply disturbed by the incident, said an MRF official. May his soul Rest In Peace (RIP), the official added.
A group of rally enthusiasts tweeted:
“Can’t believe it! This just isn’t right – you were a legend of a human being and a driver. The sport is poorer without you. RIP Craig and my wishes are with all your family at this devastating time,” said Hayden Paddon, the Kiwin who recently won the Otago Rally for the 10th time, on Facebook.
Daniel Raissar, a rally fan, raised serious questions: “Basically no one is talking about the safety of the cars, it didn’t look like an unsurvivable shunt. The plastic body and plexy glass don’t offer enough protection around the safety shell. There are very strong materials used in IndyCar windshields and metal does bend but doesn’t get penetrated so easily on impact. One can only speculate why saving weight decisions were taken at the top, WRC2 cars beating rally1 would not have been good marketing,” he said.
“It is a very sad, sad loss for the whole rally community. Time for FIA to look seriously in the mirror,” he concluded.
Rest in peace Craig.
Condolences to the family and friends.
Carlos Sainz: “Very sad to hear about Craig’s death. All my condolences to his family and friends. Today’s a sad day for the rally family.”
About Craig Breen
Craig was the son of Ray Breen, a national champion in Irish rallying. He bega Karting in 1999 in Ireland. He began rallying in 2007, combining it with karting commitments in Europe in 2008.
In 2009 he made the full-time switch to rallying, competing in the Irish, British and International Fiesta Sporting Trophies, winning all three championships. He also went on to win the Fiesta Sport Trophy International Shootout and was award a twelve-month contract with M-Sport. For his achievements, Breen has crowned Young Irish Rally Driver of the Year and received the Billy Coleman Award.
In 2010 he debuted the Ford Fiesta $2000 in both British Rally Championship and the Irish Tarmac Championship. He took his first BRC victory on the 2010 Ulster Rally and went on to finish 2nd overall in the ITC. He also finished 17th overall in the car at the 2010 Rally Finland and 12th overall at Wales Rally GB.
In 2011, Breen competed in the WRC Academy driving a Ford Fiesta R2. He won his first WRC event at the Rallye Deutschland and his win at Wales Rally GB made him the inaugural WRC Academy Cup champion. Breen at the 2012 Rally Finland.
For 2012, Breen progressed to the S-WRC championship driving a Ford Fiesta S2000. He won the opening round at Monte Carlo and led the championship after the second round in Sweden.
In June 2012, Breen’s co-driver Gareth Roberts was killed in an accident during the Targa Florio Rally, the fifth round of the 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
In Rally de Catalunya, in November, he won the Super 2000 world championship. At the end of the rally, a very emotional Breen declared “I’m a kid, I can’t believe I’ve done this.”
In 2013, Breen and Co-driver Paul Nagle were signed by Peugeot to lead their ERC campaign called ‘Peugeot Rally Academy’. Breen was successful, achieving five podium places during the season, and eventually finishing 3rd overall, missing out on the runner-up spot by only four points. Midway through the season, Nagle left the team to help out Volkswagen’s Andreas Mikkelson in the WRC from the Rajd Polski onwards, Belgian Lara Vanneste became Breen’s co-driver.
Breen won his first ERC rally at the 2014 Acropolis Rally in Greece, driving a Peugeot 208 T16.
Breen and co-driver Scott Martin won the 2015 Circuit of Ireland Rally which had been a long-time ambition of Craig’s especially as this would be the 20th anniversary of his Rally Idol’s Tarmac Championship Win, that being Frank Meagher.
He did a part-time campaign with the Citroen Total World Rally Team in 2016, achieving his maiden Special Stage win and an emotional first podium finish with third place at the 2016 Rally Finland. He improved the result in 2018 by finishing second at the 2018 Rally Sweden.
In October 2021, it was announced that Breen would join M-Sport World Rally Team as their lead driver for the 2022 season. He joined Adrien Fourmax Adrien Fourmaux and Gus Greensmith in completing all 13 rounds.
Before the 2022 Rally Catalunya, James Fulton became Breen’s new co-driver after his long-time co-driver Paul Nagle announced his retirement. With Breen’s move from M-Sport to Hyundai Shell Mobis Mobis WRT is confirmed for the 2023 World Rally Championship… –Source Wikipedia
We stand with the family of Craig Breen, TEAM MRF TYRES and all the Rally Family in this hour of grief.
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Tidemand back with MRF Tyres in a bid to defend ERC title
Pontus Tidemand will return to the red and white colours of MRF Tyres as he embarks upon an FIA European Rally Championship assault in 2023.
Bengaluru, 24 Feb 2023: Tidemand’s collaboration with the Indian brand, MRF Tyres, has a successful history, dating back to 2015 when the Swede campaigned a Škoda Fabia S2000 in the Asia Pacific Rally Cup. He dominated the championship, winning five of the six rounds to claim the title.
Since then, Tidemand has continued to make a name for himself, claiming the 2017 WRC2 crown before going on to steer a Fiesta World Rally Car for M-Sport Ford on several WRC events in 2019. He has been less active during recent seasons, with his efforts focused on national rallies in his home country, reported FIAERC on Thursday in its news bulletin.
But now, the 32-year-old is hoping to recapture that success as he prepares for his first assault on the ERC with the MRF Dealer Team, piloting a GN Motorsport prepared Ford Fiesta Rally2. In the co-driver’s seat will be Julia Thulin, who guided Robert Virves to last year’s FIA Junior WRC title.
“It’s exciting to be back with MRF Tyres,” Tidemand told FIAERC.com. “We have some really great memories together from 2015 and I can’t wait to get going.
“The dream is still there. When you have been out [from this level of competition] for a little bit, it gives you a chance to re-evaluate everything you’ve been doing and look at what is right and what is not right. I’m really looking forward to coming back to the bigger events again.”
Fierce competition is expected at the season-opening Rally Serras de Fafe next month (10 – 12 March), with the likes of Erik Cais, Craig Breen and Georg Linnamäe all confirmed – plus Tidemand’s rally-winning colleagues Efrén Llarena and Mārtiņš Sesks.
“I’ve been reading all about it,” Tidemand laughed, referencing the ultra-competitive field he’s about to face. “We are going straight into the heat! I mean, the competition is going to be as good as WRC2, or maybe even better than WRC2.
“For Fafe, we will go there and try to do a good result. It’s the first rally of the season, so I think it’s important that we have a nice clean rally and secure some good points. That’s the main target, I think.”
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ERC awards for Team MRF Tyres at FIA gala 2022
Bologna (Italy) 11 Dec 2022: Team MRF Tyres received the European Rally Championship 2022 Awards here at the prestigious FIA Gala where all the Champions and Championship winning Teams have been awarded their Titles. The presentation was held in Bologna and marked the culmination of a successful and victorious season for Team MRF Tyres strengthening their place as one of the best in the sport.
Arun Mammen, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director – MRF Ltd., received the Winning Team award, while Efren Llarena received the Winning Driver Title and Sara Fernandez received the Winning Co-Driver Titles for the European Rally Championship. Javier Pardo of Team MRF Tyres was the Runner-up in the European Rally Championships 2022.
Speaking after collecting the award, Arun Mammen said, “It is indeed a proud and landmark moment in our journey as a Tyre company to be able to achieve this success in such a short period of time. We entered the ERC in 2020 and have been able to bring our technical and development skills to be able to fight against the top Tyre brands and win this Championship. This win means a lot to the team of MRF men and women back in the factories and India and is a stupendous achievement and is a realization of their hard work. We hope that this is the first of many to come.”
Photo caption: Arun Mammen, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director MRF Limited poses with the Team award along with, with Efren Llaren, right, and Sara Fernandez, who won the awards for ERC Driver championship and Co-Driver’s championship for the year 2022 at FIA gala Awards Giving on Saturday.
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Pragathi Gowda makes India proud: FIA Rally Star cup
Chennai, 12 October 2022: Australia’s 19-year old Taylor Gill, a mechanic by profession, and Bengaluru’s Pragathi Gowda from India were declared winners of the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final which concluded at the Madras International Circuit, here on Wednesday.
A four-member Jury, after considering the timesheets and then interviewing the finalists, declared Gill, who hails from New Castle, as the overall winner of the Final while 25-year old Pragathi won in the women’s category. She will represent the Asia-Pacific region in the women’s World Finals in Peru in January 2023.
The qualifiers for Stage-3 today were put through two phases of timed runs. At the end of the first phase, the list was narrowed down to six contenders based on their times. The top six were then given another run to decide the quickest. The six drivers were then interviewed by the four-member jury who then announced the winner, taking into consideration the performances, fitness and driving skills.
Pragathi, a post-graduate in finance, who juggles between profession and motorsport, said: “I am super happy. I will do my best to make my country proud. Winning the Rally Star is the biggest recognition I have received and I have worked very hard for it. I would like to tell all the women out there to not lose hope. This is the happiest moment in my life.
“On the first two days, it was more of a tarmac run, but today, it was more gravel which I am very comfortable with and so was very confident. I just stuck to my basics and did what I had to do. I was not happy with my first run today, but I completed the second with ease.”
Taylor Gill, struggling to contain his emotions, said: “I don’t have the words to describe my feelings now. Coming into the Final here, I just wanted to enjoy myself and put everything together. A couple of weeks ago, I did one day in a cross car in Australia, but the Rally Star cars here are vastly different. Right now, I am over the moon.”
The Asia-Pacific winner will join the other continental finals champions. Two winners of these events join the selection of drivers for the first FIA Rally Star Training Season in 2023. The last spot in the FIA Rally Star Training Season will go to the winner of the Women’s Final, which is due to take place in Peru.
The winner of the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final will be representing the region in the 2023 FIA Rally Star Training Season. Besides six rallies in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3, the Training Season package includes physical and intellectual assessment, driver coaching and testing. The aim is to equip the successful contestants with the attributes they need as they attempt to secure a drive in the FIA World Rally Championship in the future.
At the end of 2023, the best four FIA Rally Star Team members are rewarded with a season in the FIA Junior WRC Championship in 2024. For 2025, three drivers go forward into a second Junior WRC season. And if one of the FIA Rally Star Team members wins the title, they secure a WRC2 campaign in a Rally2 car for 2026 with a Rally1 drive their next target.
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Pragathi Gowda, Taylor Gill win Asia Pacific trials to continue WRC dream
While Bengaluru’s Pragathi Gowda made India proud winning the slot for the female representative for the World Final trials, Taylor Gill is the latest young talent to secure a potential pathway to the FIA World Rally Championship after he was selected as the winner of the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final. It is just a coincidence that, he shares his second name with the Indian Rally king Gaurav Gill, but the Aussie driver from New Castle, near Sydney, has no Indian connection. But it is Gill all the way at famous South India Rally venue here at Irungattukottai.
Chennai, 12 Oct. 2022: Taylor Gill, 18, from Australia, was one of 40 participants representing seven ASNs to assemble at the Madras International Circuit in India on Monday morning for three days of intense competition and assessment with the goal to win a place in the FIA Rally Star Training Season in 2023. Read Pragathi Gowda report here.
Thirteen drivers, two of whom were female, excelled by progressing to today’s final in Chennai, which included a rigorous physical test, followed by the opportunity to showcase their skills behind the wheel of a Pirelli-equipped TN5 Cross Car from FIA World Rally Championship driver Thierry Neuville’s LifeLive organisation.
After taking to a 3.7-kilometre stage featuring gravel and asphalt sections but designed to be much faster than the layouts used on Monday and Tuesday, the drivers took part in a series of reflex tests before being interviewed by the five-person jury consisting of Andrew Wheatley (Chairman) and members Maciej Woda, Pernilla Solberg, David Terrien and Guy Botterill.
Following a period of deliberation, the Jury confirmed Taylor Gill as the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final winner, while Pragathi Gowda was selected as the Asia-Pacific region’s representative in the FIA Rally Star Women’s Final, details of which will be announced at a later date.
As well as the honour and achievement of winning the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final against very strong competition, Taylor Gill will represent his region in the 2023 FIA Rally Star Training Season.
In addition to six rallies in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3, the FIA Rally Star Training Season package includes physical and intellectual assessment, driver coaching and testing. The aim is to equip the successful contestants with the attributes they need as they attempt to secure a drive in the FIA World Rally Championship in the future. Indeed, the four best-performing drivers in the FIA Rally Star Training season will win an FIA Junior WRC Championship drive in 2024, the first step on the ladder to the top-level, hybrid-based Rally1 category.
Taylor Gill is the fourth FIA Rally Star Continental Final winner and follows Romet Jürgenson, the European Final winner from Estonia, Abdullah Al Tawqi, who won the MENA Final representing Oman and Max Smart (South Africa), the winner of the African Final.
Maja Hallén Fellenius (Sweden) and Katie Milner (United Kingdom) were the first to qualify for the Women’s Final following their performances in the European Final, while Farah Zakaria from Jordan qualified from the FIA Rally Star MENA Final with Kristie Ellis (South Africa) making it through from the African Final. Pragathi Gowda (India) joins the club of female winners, as they will prepare for the women’s grand finale in a few months’ time.
The South and North America Continental Finals will take place early next year with the two winners of these events joining the other Continental Final winners – plus the Women’s Final winner – for the first FIA Rally Star Training Season in 2023.
Taylor Gill, 18, from Australia, FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final winner: “You might have to give me ten minutes to put this into words! It’s pretty cool, obviously everyone goes for it, but you don’t expect to get it, so I’m over the moon!
For sure, there was a lot of pressure, especially to go out and do another run today, I couldn’t make any mistakes, that’s what I tried to do, so I’m super happy!”
Pragathi Gowda, 25, from India, FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final winner: “I’m very surprised, I didn’t think I would make it through because there were strong girls out there. But I told myself, that no matter what happens, I’m not going to give up and I’m going to do my best. Luckily it worked, I’m very happy to be here, a big thank you to the FIA Rally Star for organizing this in my country, as I think it’s better, you are more confident, and I think that’s why I’m here.
I got to prepare myself for that [FIA Rally Star Women’s Final], I’m looking forward to it and I’m going to do my best, let’s see what happens and hope for the best.”
Andrew Wheatley, FIA Rally Director & Jury Chairman: “It was a fantastic combination of enthusiasm and performance. We have seen incredible drives from the competitors. We have got winners, but we have also seen amazing drivers, who supported the winners and will go on to also compete themselves at a high level internationally around the world.
I think we have seen a good combination of people who have come with experience in rally and also grassroots level. But we have also seen people coming with pure esport background, and they equally been able to go toe-to-toe in these difficult conditions and cars to drive and to be able to show their skills and shine.”
David Terrien, Jury Member & Karting World Champion: “It’s not just a time trial, we are looking for a complete racing driver, with a mix of skills, preparation, how able they are to learn and implement some tips they will be given. It’s also about physical preparation and reflex.
We also do interviews with them, to know about their motivation, background, and how much knowledge they have about motor sport. Some drivers have experience some do not and that is also taken into consideration if we have a driver with no experience and performing very well.”
Guy Botterill, Jury Member & South African Rally Champion: “The level of the drivers was amazing! The level of the esport drivers and the women were incredible, they were really strong. Having such a mix of cultures, and countries, was also great, and putting them all together and seeing their times was impressive. Everyone had an immense passion, and they need to grow the sport in their country. I know there is a winner and a loser, they are all thinking about their projects in the future when they will go home to improve, but I think motor sport is the overall winner.
This week, the conditions were very tough. We had extreme heat, it was rainy, muddy and dusty, so the drivers that qualified to go through the days and the winners have done an exceptional job. It was a good experience for everybody because that is what rally is all about, it was a good test, and it was incredibly difficult with the layouts that were designed to be tough. The organisers of the event did a really good job in making it difficult because there is no point in an event like this to have roads that are too easy.”
Akbar Ebrahim, President of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI): “It was a great opportunity for them, as they never had the chance to try such equipment like this and to participate in this kind of program. Looking at the pyramid that has been built and the aspiration, I think it was a wonderful opportunity for them and they really enjoyed it. The gaps were big when they started but as they got acclimatized, the level improved and that was satisfying.
For sure, using a cross car as a grassroot level for developing potentially rally talents, is a fantastic concept.”
