By RSL Staff –
September 23, 2012Posted in: News, WRC Academy
To prepare for the FIA WRC Academy’s second asphalt round of the season at the 2012 Rallye de France Alsace next month, Pontus Tidemand will contest a total of 11 special stages at Rally Vosgien this weekend.
Following a disappointing second place in the Swedish Rally Championship last weekend – the Swede losing time with a puncture – he barely had time to catch his breath before making the journey to Italy for some added Tarmac training ahead of the event.
“We went directly to Italy on Sunday where we attended an asphalt school for two days to hone our driving on asphalt,” said the 21-year-old. “We are doing everything to be as prepared as possible for [the WRC Academy round in] France in early October.”
Following their training in Italy, Tidemand and co-driver Stig Rune Skjaermoen will contest Rally Vosgien which runs in the same area as the eleventh round of the FIA World Rally Championship. Indeed the rally attracts a number of WRC regulars who view the event as the perfect test ahead of the WRC round and this year will see Tidemand joined by both Mads Østberg and Mikko Hirvonen.
“We have rented a Ford Fiesta R2 from Belgian [courtesy of Team Floral] through development company EVEN rally to support me in my efforts,” said Tidemand. “It is the same kind of car we drive in the WRC Academy and it will be really fun to run the race. Most important for us is not to win our class, but to gain experience of the roads and find the settings that work well on the car.”
This means that Tidemand invests in Rallye de France as opposed to contesting the final round in the Swedish Rally Championship in Koping which will take place on the same weekend as the WRC Academy’s fifth round.
“It is sad that the races clash, but to run a couple of races on asphalt this autumn with an opportunity to get on the podium in the WRC Academy, I think will be really good for my development,” added the Swede.
Rally Vosgien starts on Friday evening with two long special stages before the final nine special stages on Saturday.
Related posts:
- Swedish Champion Pontus Tidemand confirmed for WRC Academy
- FIA WRC Academy interview with Pontus Tidemand
- Pontus Tidemand wins East Rally Sweden and secures gold with Ford Fiesta S2000 in Swedish Championship
- Pontus Tidemand – SS 2 East Sweden Rally Linköping
- Pontus Tidemand test Mitsubishi Lancer 6.5 WRC
- FIA WRC Academy registrations open for Rally Acropolis 2012
- Tough tarmac challenge awaits Pirelli WRC Academy crews in France
- Alastair Fisher to contest Rally of Scotland in Fiesta S2000
- Greek celebrity in thrilling FIA WRC Academy passenger ride
- Elfyn Evans wins again in Pirelli-backed WRC Academy
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