Sesks was a stage winner on the ERC season-opening Rally Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas, Vieira do Minho e Cabeceiras de Basto last weekend. And while two delays due to tyre damage ruled out a shot at finishing in the top five, the Latvian left northern Portugal with his confidence on the up.
“I’m really happy that we showed our pace and being able to fight with WRC drivers gives me a belief that there is a potential in me and that’s the good point out of it,” said the former Junior ERC champion. “There were lots of things new for me this weekend, but it was a big pleasure being here and driving this kind of car in this kind of competition, among some WRC drivers, and sometimes beating them, that feels really good.”
Competing under the Team MRF Tyres banner, the 23-year-old Sesks was eventually classified 12th overall in his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
“SRT worked perfectly [preparing the car] and Team MRF Tyres always gave the best advice,” Sesks said. “We were unlucky that we lost the time that we did but that’s part of the game and you have to deal with it the best way you can. At least we showed some good pace and that’s what we bring [back] from here.”
Sesks and co-driver Renārs Francis will continue their ERC campaign on Rally Islas Canarias from 4 - 6 May, round two of the season. They finished second in the Junior ERC category on their last appearance in Gran Canaria in 2018 aboard an Opel Adam R2.
“I feel really young but then I remember it was five years ago that I drove in Canarias and that seems a long time ago,” Sesks said. “That time was with the Opel Adam, a front-wheel drive-car, but I haven’t done much Tarmac since then, but I know the team will help me prepare and get better.”
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