DMACK has new tyre for gravel
DMACK is confident a new gravel tyre will be enough for it to further close the gap to rival Michelin from Rally Portugal onwards.
Drive DMACK managing director Dick Cormack said the tyre, which includes a new construction and compound, was tested in Spain earlier this month with very positive results.
“The hard gravel tyre has always been our weakness,” said Cormack. “This new tyre will represent a big step for us. In testing we have seen better stability and longevity. The plan is to have it in Portugal and then we want Ott [Tanak, DMACK driver] to be pushing for the top three in Poland. We’re going to let him off the leash in Poland and see what he can do.”
Tanak finished third in Mikolajki last season.
Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team driver Craig Breen could return to the Circuit of Ireland Rally to defend his emotional win from last season.
The Waterford driver says his only priority this year is his World Rally Championship programme in a Citroen DS 3 WRC, but he added that if the chance arose to drive the April 7-9 event, he would jump at it.
“You know how hard I’ve worked to get to the position I’m in with the Abu Dhabi Total team now and that’s everything to me,” said Breen. “But at the same time, I just love rallying, I live for it and I am talking to a few people about the chances of getting out on the Circuit. I would say it’s an expression of interest more than anything right now.
“Like anything, there’s the financial angle to this, but if somebody’s willing to put some money up then that would certainly make things easier!”
Breen and co-driver Scott Martin won last year’s event in a Peugeot 208T16, realising a long-held dream for the 26-year-old Irishman.
“It would be fantastic to go back for another go this year,” Breen added, “especially with the British Rally Championship guys going there – and with the way the route’s looking. I know some of those stages pretty well and I know how important it is to have experience of those roads. I think I’d have a pretty fair chance as well. Put it this way, I wouldn’t be going there to fight for second place! Whether I’m competing or not, I’ll be in Belfast like I’ll be in West Cork next week. Like I said, I live for this sport!”