On Monday, June 17 Latvian Rally Pilot Mārtiņš Sesks and Co-Driver Renārs Francis took part in their first Ford Puma Rally1 test session ahead of next weeks competitive debut of non-hybrid Rally1 machinery on the highly anticipated return of WRC round in Poland.
The non-hybrid appearance will bridge the gap between Sesks’ transition from competing in Rally2 in the FIA European Rally Championship to Rally1. Allowing him to adjust to the increased power and weight of the Puma, using non-hybrid in Poland will prepare him for his full hybrid outing on his home rally, the all-new Rally Latvia, just a few weeks later.
The 192 km test took place in southern Estonia with 14 runs throughout the day, both Liepaja residents admitted that this was the fastest and most pleasant Monday of their lives. Sesks: “This was one of my best Mondays in life, you can’t tell it, you can only experience it.
“These kilometers are a very good basis for going to Poland. We learned a lot in one day. The M –Sport team helped to understand and master the small nuances of moving from Rally2 to Rally1 car, adjusting to pace and other changes. Together we were looking for options on how to adapt in the car and improve driving. Physical sensations are difficult to tell, it can only be experienced and enjoyed. The speed at which you can run through curves from aside or cab video may seem super fast or unrealistic, but inside the car it seems logical. Of course, moving the pace that we developed in training to competition mode will be the next challenge,” said Sesks.
Tim Jackson, M-Sport’s Chief WRC Test Engineer, added: “Martiņš had a very positive approach and managed to build up performance. We had to make rather small changes. He has the right mindset and made good progress throughout the day.”
The crew will head to Poland before Midsummer Eve to participate in WRC Rally Show Warsaw 2024 on June 23, where they will perform show runs at the Warsaw football arena PGE Narodowy alongside other athletes. They will then compete in the 80th ORLEN Rally Poland at the end of June. From July 5 to 7, Mārtiņš and Renārs will compete in the fourth ERC round Rally Estonia,” and later on July 14, they will run the pre-event tests with a hybrid Rally1 car to compete with the world’s elite rally drivers at Tet Rally Latvia from July 18 to 21.
Atpakaļ