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Portugal start for third Dmack Fiesta trophy

The drive Dmack Fiesta trophy will begin its third season next week when 10 crews cross the start ramp at Vodafone Rally de Portugal (19 - 22 may).

The Matosinhos-based event is the first of five DDFT rounds this year, and the first opportunity to assess the class of 2016. Representing 13 countries, competitors have a range of experience and will do battle in identical Ford Fiesta R2T cars.

Finland's Max Vatanen is one of those tipped to do well. Back for a third season, the 25-year-old won the category in Portugal last year (see video below) and went on to finish the season third overall.

He's expected to face a strong challenge from local hero Bernardo Sousa. The Portuguese has 38 WRC starts under his belt and has contested WRC 2 rounds in the previous two seasons.

Also on the entry list is a strong trio of British drivers led by Welshman Osian Pryce, who showed front-running pace in Junior WRC rounds last year. He is joined by last year's Vatanen Touch winner Jon Armstrong, representing Northern Ireland, and 2015's top rookie, English teenager Gus Greensmith, who is back for a second season.

Leading four Trophy newcomers is 20-year-old Oscar Solberg, son of WRC driver Henning, who hopes to make it two Norwegian winners in two years following the 2015 success of his compatriot Marius Aasen.

A new prize structure this year offers drivers the chance two win two WRC 2 outings for each pair of Trophy rounds. The driver accumulating the most points in Portugal and at the second rally in Poland will win two WRC 2 drives in 2017.

Find out more about the DDFT competitors at www.drivedmack.com

Zdroj: wrc.com