M-Sport World Rally Team’s Elfyn Evans and Craig Parry will contest next month’s Sol Rally Barbados with a Ford Fiesta R5 Evo – adding a further event to their extensive campaign.
Tasked with securing two championship titles this year – in the FIA World Rally Championship’s principal support series as well as the re-vamped British Rally Championship – the Welsh pairing are benefitting from a range of competitive outings, to which Rally Barbados adds another dimension.
Growing in popularity, the event attracts a number of high-profile regional and international crews. Benefitting from its own success, the Caribbean fixture has established a worldwide profile with increased competition year on year.
Piloting John Powell’s Fiesta R5 Evo – with which Powell claimed victory at Rally Trinidad in March – Evans is sure to thrill the enthusiastic crowd and will be looking for a strong result on his debut.
Arriving on the island well in advance, the Welshman will contest the full itinerary – including the legendary ‘King of the Hill’ hillclimb – to ensure he and Parry are on top form ahead of their latest challenge.
Also contesting the event are Simon Jean-Joseph and co-driver Jack Boyere in Powell’s Ford Focus RS WRC.
Elfyn Evans said:
“I’ve heard a lot of great things about this event so a big thanks to John [Powell], M-Sport and the rally organisers for giving myself and Craig an opportunity to experience it for ourselves.
“There’s always a lot of competition and the event attracts a lot of top-specification cars, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. But, if there is a possibility to challenge for the win, we’ll certainly give it a go!
“This really is a unique opportunity to experience another new and very popular event. I’m sure it will live up to the expectation and I’m really looking forward to sampling the atmosphere first hand.”
Sol Rally Barbados Chairman, Mark Hamilton, said:
“Through the years, our event has been fortunate to attract high-profile regional and international crews, who have enhanced the event’s competitive nature, and also its worldwide profile. We are confident that Elfyn and Craig will do so again. The participation of a crew and car that currently compete at the highest level in both the British Rally Championship and WRC 2 ticks two new boxes for us, and we hope this is a sign of things to come.
“The M-Sport built Fiesta R5 will add a new dimension to this year’s Sol Rally Barbados and I am sure that spectators will enjoy watching the local, regional and international crews over the three days of competition.
“We must thank Intercontinental Shipping and John Powell for their involvement in making this a reality, M-Sport for their interest in, and support of the effort and, of course, Elfyn and Craig for their time to come and have a play in the sand, sea, sun and speed that Barbados has to offer”.
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