Spain - 24-27 Oct 13

Entry List

Posted: October 14, 2013 2:32 PM

Spain - 24-27 Oct 13 - ENTRY LIST

AL-KUWARI/DUFFY SECURE WRC DRIVE FOR SPAIN

Posted: September 27, 2013 9:01 PM

Seashore Qatar Rally Team’s Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari will progress to the Ford Fiesta RS WRC for next month’s RACC Rally de España. Becoming accustomed to piloting his Ford Fiesta RRC to the top-step of the podium in this year’s WRC 2 category, the Spanish fixture will see the Qatari take to the wheel of M-Sport’s top-specification Fiesta for the first time in competition.

Partnered by Irish co-driver Killian Duffy, the pairing have competed at the head of the FIA World Rally Championship’s premier support series for much of the year. With three victories under their belt – in Mexico, Argentina and Australia respectively – the pairing are currently leading WRC 2 by 17 points. Although returning to the Fiesta RRC for his final WRC 2 point-scoring event at Wales Rally GB, the Qatari’s impressive performances to date have helped facilitate an additional outing in the world series – this time with M-Sport’s record-breaking Fiesta RS WRC.

The competition will be tough, but thanks to some inspiring performances thus far, the pairing will be well prepared. With two previous outings at the WRC’s highest level, the Qatari is one of a handful of drivers to boast a championship point from a competitive debut when he secured tenth place overall on his maiden WRC event at the 2012 Acropolis Rally.

With a working knowledge of the Fiesta in its RRC guise, Al-Kuwari should not be discounted for a strong result and will be a real contender for a point-scoring finish as he takes to the mixed surface stages of Rally de España.

Abdulaziz Al-Kuwai said:
“It’s a great feeling to know that I will be driving the [Ford] Fiesta RS WRC in Spain. The decision was made as early as after our WRC 2 win in Argentina. I received a call from Seashore Qatar Rally Team's owner – Mr. Salim Al-Mhannadi – telling me that I would have at least one rally behind the wheel of a Fiesta RS WRC this season as reward for our hard work and good results. I would like to thank him very much for this opportunity.”

“This car is much faster than the [Ford] Fiesta RRC I am used to so we will need some time to get used to it. Our first goal is always to finish all the stages and make it to the finish ramp. Of course a top 10 finish would be fantastic, and if I’m honest, I really want to beat my best result of 10th place overall.

“That said, we’ll be back in the [Fiesta] RRC for Wales Rally GB as our focus is very much centred on the WRC 2 championship which we are currently leading. We’ll have to wait and see what lies in store for next year, but I am a very ambitious guy so if my sponsor decides to go for a full WRC program, I will be ready as always.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I would like to thank Seashore for their continued support and for helping secure the deal with M-Sport. With M-Sport I really feel that I am driving for the best team in the world. Our season has been trouble free and everyone is striving towards the one goal – to win. Working with M-Sport is like being part of one big supportive family.”

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“We have seen some very impressive performances from Abdulaziz [Al-Kuwari] this year, so the next logical step was for him to take to the wheel of the Ford Fiesta RS WRC. It will be a challenging event with a lot of very quick drivers behind the wheel of some top-specification cars, but Abdulaziz and Killian [Duffy, co-driver] are more than capable of securing a good result.

“I am delighted that M-Sport have been able to offer the Seashore Qatar Rally Team this opportunity, and I look forward to seeing how they progress on their competitive debut with the car.”

PADDON STEPS UP TO QATAR M-SPORT FOR RALLY DE ESPAÑA

Posted: September 25, 2013 1:41 PM

Hayden Paddon and John Kennard will step up to the Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team for next month’s Rally de España as New Zealand’s finest make their competitive debut at the FIA World Rally Championship’s (WRC) highest level.

Piloting a Ford Fiesta RS WRC in Qatar M-Sport colours, the pairing’s world rally car debut will also mark a first for New Zealand as they become the first of their countrymen to pilot a new-generation, top-specification rally car.

M-Sport are well known for fostering young talent, and Paddon’s impressive performances of late meant the Cumbrian firm were keen to see him progress. Despite contesting just three events so far in 2013, the Kiwi has been a regular on the WRC 2 podium and has become accustomed to over-shadowing those in more powerful machinery.

Nowhere was that more apparent than at this month’s Rally Australia. Although a technical issue put paid to a strong result, Paddon posted a top-ten time on all but one stage contested and was continuously faster than numerous WRC contenders.
As he makes the move to rallying’s most prestigious league, the New Zealander is keeping his feet firmly on the ground with his main goal a simple one – to finish all of the stages in search of maximum experience. That said, the youngster’s ambition is high and his hopes of setting some top-five times are well within reach.

Those ambitions will be aided by a pre-event test with M-Sport in the lead up to Rally de España, on which he is no novice. Having driven the mixed-surface event in anger for the past two years, Paddon will be hoping his experience pays dividends.

Hayden Paddon said:
“To say I’m excited is an understatement, but I am also focused on ensuring that we make the most of this opportunity. Naturally I want to be competitive and we will be giving it our utmost to set some good stage times, but it is also important to finish the rally and gain as much experience as possible.

“After some discussions, we were offered this great opportunity and it’s amazing to finally get our chance in a top-specification car. While it has been a lot of hard work to get to this point, we are conscious that the level of hard work will only increase as this is very much our chance to showcase what we can do.

“Ultimately, I don’t want to be in a world rally car for just one event. This is what I want to make my career out of and we are trying to market ourselves for 2014. This amazing opportunity with such a respected team as M-Sport gives us that chance.

“I cannot thank everyone in New Zealand enough. From our partners and shareholders, who are behind me all the way, to my family, friends and fellow competitors; everyone has had such a big part to play and now we have our chance.”

Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“I am very pleased to welcome Hayden [Paddon] into the Qatar M-Sport team for Rally de España. His speed in Australia was impressive, and this is his opportunity to prove what he can do behind the wheel of a world rally car. He is in the best possible place to learn with Thierry [Neuville], Mads [Østberg] and Evgeny [Novikov] all there to offer advice and experience on how to tackle a world rally car debut.

“There is no doubt that Hayden is an extremely fast driver, and I am looking forward to seeing how he progresses through the weekend. Needless to say, I am delighted that we have been able to offer him this opportunity.”

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Posted: August 28, 2013 11:38 AM

• Rally Spain (Catalunya)