Team MRF Tyres in fighting form for a new FIA ERC season 11.03.2022: Three drivers to attack at the front in Rally Fafe Team MRF Tyres is back for a brand-new season in the FIA European Rally Championship with three cars to tackle the gravel roads of Portugal’s Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras.

Three drivers to attack at the front in Rally Fafe




Team MRF Tyres is back for a brand-new season in the FIA European Rally Championship with three cars to tackle the gravel roads of Portugal’s Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras.



Rally Fafe, as it is better known, commences the eight round FIA ERC Championship and offers 17 stages and 196.21km of competitive action.



The rally gets underway on Friday night with a city stage around the streets of Fafe. It will be a great chance for fans both at the event and at home to get a glimpse of Team MRF Tyres after a winter focusing on the continued development of the tyres and a new driver lineup.



Simone Campedelli and Tania Canton are back after their successful debut season with MRF Tyres in 2021. Campedelli and Canton return to this rally knowing they have pace after taking top-three stage times for the team in 2021.



Meanwhile, Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández join the team for this season. The duo started their campaign in style last weekend at the opening round of the Spanish Rally Championship for Team MRF Tyres.



Norbert Herczig and Igor Bacigál are also new to Team MRF Tyres for 2022 and are looking forward to getting on stage.



All three drivers are competing in Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evos from three different outfits.



The drivers successfully completed the pre-event testing in Portugal this week as they tuned the cars to the expected weather and road conditions that they will face.



After the Friday Super Special stage, the crews will tackle eight stages on both Saturday and Sunday, with the rally coming to an end on the famous Lameirinha, which includes the famous Pedra Sentada jump that will certainly give the fans something to cheer for.



There are new innovations this year in the FIA ERC including a change in the point scoring system to reflect that of the World Rally Championship, meaning that there are Powerstage points on offer.



Fans will be able to follow every stage live through the WRC+ All Live app.






Quotes


Simone Campedelli

"It was a good start today in the test session for Team MRF Tyres. I am looking forward to getting back in competition. It has felt like too long since the Rally Islas Canarias.”



“We have found a good feeling in the car today. Let’s see what the rally brings as the weather looks quite changeable. But I know we will enjoy every single moment and I am looking forward to competing on MRF Tyres again here in Portugal.”





Efrén Llarena


“Last weekend we won the first rally in the Spanish Rally Championship and it was the best way to start with Team MRF Tyres. I am now eager to get in the car for this rally and to start the European Rally Championship.”


“I expect that the stages will be very tough and the competition will be very high this weekend. I know that the MRF Tyres will be able to handle the conditions and I am looking forward to working with the team this year.”





Norbert Herczig


“I am looking forward to the first round of the FIA ERC with Team MRF Tyres. The rally will definitely be a challenge with tough roads and a lot of mud.”

“We had a good test session today to prepare the car and get used to the roads and the road conditions we will face this weekend. I am confident with MRF Tyres and I am ready to get the rally started."





Team MRF Tyres


Team MRF Tyres joined the European Rally Championship in 2020 after winning nine titles in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship. MRF Tyres is the first Indian manufacturer to compete in top-level European rallying and has undertaken an aggressive tyre development campaign. Team MRF Tyres, won the 2021 Italian Rally Championship – Gravel with Paolo Andreucci and the 2021 Finnish Rally Championship with Emil Lindholm won the 2021 Finnish Rally Championship Driver's Title. MRF Tyres is a registered tyre with the FIA ERC.




About the FIA ERC


The FIA ERC is a world-renowned rally championship that has been held since 1953. Held on tarmac and gravel, it is open to independent teams and privateers and offers drivers, teams and manufacturers a chance to rise through the ranks to challenge the best in the world. It is held across eight rounds with Rally2 cars competing for the outright win. It is sanctioned by the FIA and promoted by the WRC Promoter GmbH to a global audience



The 2022 FIA ERC calendar

1             11-12 March - Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras - Gravel
2             25 – 27 March - Azores Rallye - Gravel
3             12-14 May - Rally Islas Canarias - Tarmac
4             11-12 June - Rally Poland - Gravel            
5             2-3 July - Rally Liepāja - Gravel                  
6             23-24 July - Rally di Roma Capitale - Tarmac
7             27-28 August - Barum Czech Rally Zlín - Tarmac
8             TBA
 



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