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Why M-Sport wanted ERC Junior Røkland

Steve Røkland's past performances in M-Sport machinery helped him to secure the firm's support for the next round of the ERC Junior season.

The Norwegian youngster will drive an M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta R2T on the Azores Airlines Rallye after a wheel failure caused him to roll his usual Peugeot on the Circuit of Ireland.

Key to getting M-Sport's help in order to return was Røkland's past relationship with the British company, which started when he won the Fiesta Sport Trophy Shootout in 2011. He drove for M-Sport in the British championship for the following two years, then used one of its cars when he made his ERC Junior debut on Rally Liepāja in 2014 (pictured).

Maciej Woda, who heads up M-Sport's ERC operations, said: "We know Steve from his previous work with M-Sport and he has proven himself to be a worthy competitor in this year's FIA European Rally Championship. When there arose an opportunity to get him behind the wheel of the Fiesta, we were keen to do so and I'm sure he will do a great job of demonstrating the performance of the Fiesta at Rally Azores."

A successor for the model previously driven by Røkland, the Fiesta R2T was introduced in 2015 and Woda says that with Røkland's help, M-Sport is keen to prove it in the ERC. The car recently won the ERC3 category on the SEAJETS Acropolis Rally with Murat Bostanci behind the wheel.

Zdroj: fiaerc.com