Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy grows with new Car & 6 Rounds
• 2015 Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy launched and application process opened.
• Six round championship over five FIA World Rally Championship events.
• All-new Ford Fiesta R2 with 1.0 litre Ecoboost turbocharged engine.
• Continues to offer biggest prize in rallying – seven-round WRC 2 campaign.
After a hugely successful and oversubscribed inaugural season last year, the new-look Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy has been launched for 2015. The series, driven by tyre manufacturer DMACK and rally preparation experts M-Sport, will once again see emerging drivers from around the world compete for the biggest prize in world rallying over six rounds and five FIA World Rally Championship events.
While the popular series will follow a similar format this season, those competitors lucky enough to be selected will be driving all-new Ford Fiesta R2 cars powered by Ford’s 1.0 litre turbocharged Ecoboost engine – launched today at the Autosport International Show.
The Fiestas will be prepared and run by M-Sport and equipped with the latest DMACK tyres – a package which proved both reliable and extremely competitive during the 2014 season. The five events from last year make up this season’s action with gravel rounds on Rally Portugal, Poland and Finland followed by asphalt in Germany and then a mixed-surface event in Spain.
However, to boost the fiercely competitive series even further, the final showdown at Rally de Espana will run as two separate rounds with two sets of championship points on offer. The best five scores from six rounds will count towards the championship and points will also be awarded for stage victories on all events.
Priced at just £115,000, the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy remains extremely cost-effective and the most affordable way for aspiring drivers to showcase their talent on the world stage. As the Trophy is intended for career-minded and developing drivers, there is no age limit and organisers believe the format will be attractive to a large number of European and overseas crews, opening up access to the top level of the sport.
Drivers will fight for the huge prize of a full seven-round season in WRC 2 in 2016 – the biggest package on offer in world rallying.
Applications are now being accepted with full details and application forms available at www.drivedmack.com. It’s anticipated that around 16 places will be available and the initial selection of competitors will take place on 27 February, however, applications will continue to be accepted until 17 April.
Further details on all aspects of the Trophy are available from M-Sport’s Andrew Wheatley on awheatley@m-sport.co.uk.
Malcolm Wilson OBE, M-Sport managing director, said: “Last year’s Trophy was a great success and the interest that we have received so far indicates that 2015 will be no different. The new evolution, 1.0 litre Ford Fiesta R2 will provide competitors with a fantastic platform to showcase their skills and I’m expecting even more new talent to come to the fore.”
Dick Cormack, DMACK motorsport director, said: “The format of the Trophy has proven both competitive and popular, and the changes introduced for this year will ensure it remains the most affordable way to compete in the WRC. DMACK has always focused on stimulating cost-effective competition by providing an affordable range of performance motorsport tyres and we’ve seen some great overall results during 2014. The huge prize and low-cost platform will undoubtedly result in even more interest this year.”
Picture: 2014 winner Sander Parn (left) and M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson launch the new Ford Fiesta R2 at the Autosport International Show
