The NGK-sponsored M-Sport World Rally Team’s Elfyn Evans and Ott Tänak have made a promising start to the 2015 FIA World Rally Championship.
Evans and co-driver Daniel Barritt finished the Rallye Monte-Carlo in seventh place while Tänak and co-driver Raigo Mõlder finished a creditable 18th, despite sliding off the road and down an embankment.
NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, a supplier of OE spark plugs, glow plugs and NTK Lambda sensors to most of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers, has a long partnership with M-Sport.
Marko Wowczyna, Automotive Director, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our successful relationship with M-Sport and after this encouraging start look forward to helping the team throughout 2015.
“Many of our customers are keen rallying fans and I am sure they will be following the championship closely over the coming months.”
Welshman Evans was in a strong fifth place – chasing fourth – in the rally when he clipped a wall through “Prunieres – Embrun 2” (SS11) and damaged the rear suspension of his Ford Fiesta RS WRC. Never willing to give up the fight, he and Barritt resourcefully fashioned a temporary repair which avoided retirement and kept them in the fight.
He proved he has the ability to challenge towards the head of the field with a third fastest time through “La Salle en Beaumont – Corps 1” (SS3) as well as a number of fastest split times.
Tänak also proved that he has the natural speed and ability to challenge for a podium as the season progresses. The Estonian and his compatriot co-driver Raigo Mõlder were running as high as second overall before being caught out by an unsighted patch of gravel after a crest through “Lardier et Valenca – Faye” (SS10).
His Fiesta RS WRC slid off the road down the side of a steep embankment, but Tänak refused to accept defeat. Rallying the enthusiastic spectators around him, the Estonian rejoined the stage and avoided what would have surely resulted in retirement for a less determined crew.
Despite finishing in 18th place, the Estonian collected two manufacturer points which could make all the difference come the season’s end.
