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wrc.com wrote:Powell in as Novikov switches teams
The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team will have a new recruit for Spain's FIA World Rally Championship finale next month - but Evgeny Novikov will still be in action despite John Powell taking his seat for the mixed-surface spectacular.
Novikov (pictured) has campaigned an M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS WRC since the start of the season but an agreement with tyre firm DMACK’s Russian subsidiary means the Moscow ace will transfer to Autotek Motorsport for the Salou round.
M-Sport has an existing deal with rival tyre company Michelin, which has resulted in Novikov’s one-off switch and handed Powell an opportunity to make his WRC debut 17 years after his introduction to the sport.
DMACK will back a second Autotek-run Fiesta in Spain with Czech Martin Prokop re-joining the British squad. Days two and three in Spain, which run on asphalt, will mark the first time that DMACK’s Tarmac rubber will be used on a World Rally Car in competition.
“It’s important for DMACK to evaluate its performance using the best possible cars, and the events which deliver the greatest challenge,” said DMACK’s Dick Cormack. “We’ve equipped World Rally Cars on over half of the rallies this season and it’s given us vital feedback for next year’s range. We are constantly improving, have made significant steps in performance and see competing at the top level of motorsport key to our development.”
Novikov will continue with stand-in co-driver Ilka Minor, while Michael Fennell will partner Trinidad and Tobago’s Powell, who is currently competing in the FIA’s NACAM regional series. Ott Tanak will head the M-Sport line-up in Spain on the back of his maiden podium finish on Rally Italia Sardegna earlier this month.
Visit WRC.com soon for a Q&A with John Powell.
http://www.wrc.com/news/powell-in-as-no ... ?fid=17787
wrc.com wrote:Trinidad and Tobago driver John Powell's dreams will come true when he steps up to the FIA World Rally Championship in Spain next month in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC run by the British M-Sport team.
m-sport.co.uk wrote:Powell pounces on M-Sport drive for Spain
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team are pleased to announce that one of the Caribbean’s top rally drivers, John Powell, will join the team as a nominated points scorer for the final round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at RACC Rally de España next month.
Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago and joined on-event by his regular navigator, Michael Fennell, Powell will be the first ever driver from his homeland to compete behind the wheel of the latest generation of World Rally Cars when he takes to the wheel of the Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
Having been involved in rallying for the past 17 years, Powell began his career in 1994 – claiming the Caribbean Rally Championship’s rookie award in his debut season. In 1997 he enrolled in the Pentti Airikkala driver training programme in Oxfordshire to help further his driving skills. Powell has also been privileged enough to receive tuition from experienced rally drivers the likes of two-time BRC (British Rally Championship) Champion, Jonny Milner, and three-time BRC Champion Mark Higgins.
Securing his maiden win at the 2005 Rally Trinidad, a host of class victories and championships soon followed. Amongst his recent achievements, Powell won Rally Guadeloupe in 2010, and is the defending Rally Jamaica Champion. Powell also claimed the Group N class championship laurels as part of the 2010 Caribbean Rally Championship and was the Trinidad and Tobago Rally Championship Driver of the Year in 2011.
Currently laying third in the NACAM (North American, Central American and Mexican) Championship, Powell claimed victory at this year’s edition of Rally Trinidad and is poised to make the most of his maiden WRC drive.
wagonrunner wrote:trust the guardian to ask the rally driver how to get into drag racing.
BESSSSSSSSSSS !!!!
gt4tified wrote:Watching those two pics of the car with the words "TRINIDAD & TOBAGO" on it almost brought me to tears.
djaggs wrote:Did you notice, they painted the car in our national colors ???
gt4tified wrote:Watching those two pics of the car with the words "TRINIDAD & TOBAGO" on it almost brought me to tears.
djaggs wrote:Did you notice, they painted the car in our national colors ???
How did the car feel?
John: We tested on gravel for about 150km today. The car felt great, just as fast as the Subaru (S14 WRC) but more nimble. It changes direction easier and stops on a dime. But you really have to drive the car hard to realize its potential. The cars leave in the morning to Spain where we will do another test before the Rally.
Are you more comfortable now?
John: Still not comfortable, I felt a lot slower than I would usually be. I think over the last couple days my brain is overloaded with different techniques and I am having a problem coordinating everything. Plus I still can’t believe I am here and I am cautious as to not hurt the car. The test in Spain I will have Mike beside me and things should hopefully settle a lot by then.
When are you headed to Spain and how much testing can you do there?
John: We head over this weekend, and the test is on Monday with Ott Tanak, and Mads Ostberg. It’s another 150km, so we should be able to get some good seat time under our belt before the Rally.
How is the time with M-Sport so far?
John: Great! Those guys are so organized. Today we spoke about the recce and servicing and a lot of the logistics of the event. They don’t want to say too much because apparently the co-driver has to do a lot of the work. We have to turn up for photo shoots, and live interviews in Spain. They have someone assigned to you at all times, to drive you everywhere, to wake you up in time, to remind you of your daily schedule, etc etc. The team is transported in a large group everywhere, you don’t leave the group. They’ve got doctors, chefs, etc. full support really. They have a team meeting before and after the event to discuss everything. This is massive amounts of organization.
I will probably talk to John again this weekend and get some more information.
Duane 3NE 2NR wrote:Last night Robbie spoke to John who is in the UK testing with M-Sport and these were some of his comments:
How did the car feel?
John: We tested on gravel for about 150km today. The car felt great, just as fast as the Subaru (S14 WRC) but more nimble. It changes direction easier and stops on a dime. But you really have to drive the car hard to realize its potential. The cars leave in the morning to Spain where we will do another test before the Rally.
Are you more comfortable now?
John: Still not comfortable, I felt a lot slower than I would usually be. I think over the last couple days my brain is overloaded with different techniques and I am having a problem coordinating everything. Plus I still can’t believe I am here and I am cautious as to not hurt the car. The test in Spain I will have Mike beside me and things should hopefully settle a lot by then.
When are you headed to Spain and how much testing can you do there?
John: We head over this weekend, and the test is on Monday with Ott Tanak, and Mads Ostberg. It’s another 150km, so we should be able to get some good seat time under our belt before the Rally.
How is the time with M-Sport so far?
John: Great! Those guys are so organized. Today we spoke about the recce and servicing and a lot of the logistics of the event. They don’t want to say too much because apparently the co-driver has to do a lot of the work. We have to turn up for photo shoots, and live interviews in Spain. They have someone assigned to you at all times, to drive you everywhere, to wake you up in time, to remind you of your daily schedule, etc etc. The team is transported in a large group everywhere, you don’t leave the group. They’ve got doctors, chefs, etc. full support really. They have a team meeting before and after the event to discuss everything. This is massive amounts of organization.
I will probably talk to John again this weekend and get some more information.
M-SPORT TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE IN SPAIN
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team will be looking to finish the year with another strong result next week as the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) journeys to the season finale – and the only true ‘mixed-surface’ event of the year – at the 2012 RACC Rally de España.
Assuming its new position as the WRC’s closing round, Rally de España presents a real challenge for crews and technicians alike. On the opening day, flashes of asphalt disrupt the predominantly gravel stages meaning that the drivers will need to contend with continuous adjustments to their driving style and technique.
Moving to the smooth asphalt roads in the hills north of Tarragona, the final two days of competition will see wide, flowing stages demand expert lines and precision from the crews whilst allowing the team to lower and stiffen the suspension in search of higher speeds.
Yet with this year’s later date holding the prospect of damper conditions, the polished asphalt has the potential to become treacherously slippery – adding to the challenge and being sure to provide some intense competition as the crews do battle for the final spoils.
The challenge of dual surface rallying will also see the team decipher a number of factors to determine the optimum set-up – as well as the intricate task of converting each Ford Fiesta RS WRC from its gravel to Tarmac specification in just seventy-five minutes – to ultimately provide a rally car that performs to the best of its ability on both surfaces.
Showcasing their speed and composure on the previous round in Sardinia, Ott Tänak and co-driver Kuldar Sikk have proven that they have the skills to contend with the challenges ahead. After securing his first podium behind the wheel of his Ford Fiesta RS WRC, the Estonian will be hunting seventh place in the Drivers’ Championship – a position he trails by just one point going into the final round.
With an impressive track-record on asphalt, the 25-year-old will be out to impress. Taking the coveted Power Stage win on the previous sealed-surface outing in France and securing two stage victories in Germany, Tänak is hungry for further successes and will be looking to end his season on another high.
Joining the team in Spain, John Powell and co-driver Michael Fennell will be hoping to make the most of their first venture to the WRC. Taking to the wheel of the Ford Fiesta RS WRC, the pairing will be aiming to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience which they can harness in their regional championships as well as another potential assault on the world stage.
This will be Powell’s first outing on the Spanish event, and with the majority of his rallying experience on gravel, the Trinidad and Tobago driver is relishing the challenge. The long stages will also pose a test for Powell as much of the rallying in his homeland is contested over short six to seven kilometre stages. But with the M-Sport team behind them, the pairing will be looking to complete a trouble free rally with a solid result for the Cumbrian squad.
Ott Tänak said:
“I am feeling pretty good ahead of Spain. We didn’t have a perfect start to the season, but recently the feeling has been getting better and better so I hope we can continue improving.
“We had to Super Rally last year so some of the stages will be completely new to us. The Tarmac stages are really nice to drive – flowing roads where you can carry a lot of speed. The gravel stages are obviously a little different – they are a lot narrower with a mix of high and low speed sections.
“The mix of gravel and Tarmac will be a challenge. We’ll need to find the right set-up on the car for both surfaces and it won’t be so easy to get back into the rhythm when you are swapping from one surface to the other – but that’s part of the challenge and I am looking forward to it.”
John Powell said:
“This will be my first WRC event so I think it is fair to say that I am pretty nervous! We’re trying not to think too much about what to expect, we’ll just be hoping to gain some good experience and get to the end in one piece.
“I’ve been at M-Sport this week and there has been a lot of talk about a certain Jamaican bobsled team. Nobody thought there would be a Jamaican bobsled team and who would have thought that someday there would be a WRC driver from Trinidad and Tobago! The bobsled team finished dead last, but they had a great time doing it and made a pretty big impression on the sport. Maybe we can do the same – and maybe one day they will make a movie about us too.
“Back in our regional championships the stages are a lot shorter, so this 45 km stage will be something completely new for us. This event will be a big challenge, but I am really looking forward to the experience and I need to thank M-Sport for providing such a fantastic opportunity.”
Duane 3NE 2NR wrote:UPDATE FROM M-SPORTM-SPORT TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE IN SPAIN
John Powell said:
“This will be my first WRC event so I think it is fair to say that I am pretty nervous! We’re trying not to think too much about what to expect, we’ll just be hoping to gain some good experience and get to the end in one piece.
“I’ve been at M-Sport this week and there has been a lot of talk about a certain Jamaican bobsled team. Nobody thought there would be a Jamaican bobsled team and who would have thought that someday there would be a WRC driver from Trinidad and Tobago! The bobsled team finished dead last, but they had a great time doing it and made a pretty big impression on the sport. Maybe we can do the same – and maybe one day they will make a movie about us too.
“Back in our regional championships the stages are a lot shorter, so this 45 km stage will be something completely new for us. This event will be a big challenge, but I am really looking forward to the experience and I need to thank M-Sport for providing such a fantastic opportunity.”
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