OREANDA-NEWS. August 19, 2015. M-Sport World Rally Team drivers, Elfyn Evans and Ott T?nak, will face a new challenge this week as the 2015 Fiesta RS WRC makes its asphalt debut at the ninth round of the FIA World Rally Championship, the ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

The new Ecoboost-powered Fiesta has already proven its pace on gravel and this week will see it let loose on the sealed-surface roads of the German Rhineland.
 
Both drivers were present at an extensive research and development test in the hills above San Remo earlier this year, and the team has conducted a five-day, pre-event test – experiencing roads similar to those that give the German fixture one of the most intriguing routes of the year.
 
For many, Rallye Deutschland is considered three rallies in one. The character of the stages differ considerably – from twisting tracks through the Mosel vineyards, to the open roads of Saarland and the perilous ‘Hinkelstines’ that line the Baumholder military ground. It’s important to have the correct set-up for each variation, and the M-Sport team have focused on this.
 
Both drivers have historically performed well on asphalt and Evans in particular can boast an impressive track record from the Trier-based event.
 
Evans won the rally as part of the FIA WRC Academy in 2012 and was locked in an intense battle for the WRC 2 win in 2013 – trading the lead with Robert Kubica before conceding victory by just over 10 seconds.


In 2014 – his first season behind the wheel of a world rally car – he and co-driver Daniel Barritt produced a breakthrough performance. Out-performing a number of their more experienced rivals, the pairing secured a string of top-three stage times throughout the final day, including the sought-after Power Stage victory.
 
Last year’s impressive final-day performance saw Evans finish just five seconds adrift of the podium, and the Welshman will have earmarked this year’s Rallye Deutschland to showcase his progression.
 
In the sister M-Sport Fiesta RS WRC, T?nak may not have contested a pure asphalt event with the power and performance of a world rally car since 2012, but his previous performances mean he and co-driver Raigo M?lder could also be a dark horse for podium positions.
 
The Estonian won the event as part of the S-WRC in 2011. Off the back of a number of impressive sealed-surface performances that year, he was elevated to the Ford manufacturer squad for the 2011 edition of Rallye du Var.
 
The ADAC Rallye Deutschland takes place August 20-13.