M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s NGK-equipped Ford Fiesta WRCs excelled at the weekend’s Croatia Rally – Adrien Fourmaux delivering an impressive drive to fifth place on his inaugural event at the highest level of competition, and Gus Greensmith showcasing a vast improvement in seventh.
Considered by many as the driver of the weekend, Fourmaux produced a sensational performance on his FIA World Rally Championship debut with the top-specification EcoBoost-powered Fiesta which is fitted with NGK spark plugs and NTK Lambda sensors.
Already challenging the established elite, nine top-five stage times included two second-fastest times and the young Frenchman displayed all the hallmarks of a future star.
Greensmith also had an extremely positive weekend – delivering his best drive of the season so far.
The young Brit has taken a lot of confidence from the introduction of experienced co-driver Chris Patterson and produced a more assured drive.
A hydraulic issue meant he had to forgo a deserved sixth place, but the youngster is enjoying his driving again – something which has always been vital in pursuit of the top times.
Elsewhere in the WRC 2 category, Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula delivered a stage-winning performance to bring their Ford Fiesta Rally2 home in second place overall.
Adrien Fourmaux said: “I’m so happy with our weekend and the only disappointment is that the rally is now over.
“It’s been a big challenge on the Croatian roads, but I have enjoyed every kilometre; and taken a lot of pleasure from driving this car on these stages.
“We showed good speed throughout the weekend and honestly there were more positives than we had been expecting.
“We improved our pace a lot and I achieved all of my goals and more.”
Team principal Richard Millener said: “When you actually stop and think about what Adrien has achieved this weekend, it’s mightily impressive. Four years ago, he hadn’t even driven a rally car – and now he’s challenging, and on some stages out-performing, the guys he grew up watching!”
Mark Hallam, marketing manager at NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “There were some great performances by the M-Sport Ford WRC team in what was a very exciting rally.
“We are proud that our spark plugs and NTK Lambda sensors are fitted to the team’s Fiestas and that their competitive performance bodes well for the rest of the season.”
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