As was the case on the previous event in Poland, MRF Tyres was the proud recipient of the Winning Tyre award with home hero Mārtiṇš Sesks winning for the second rally in succession.
Wed 21 Jun 2023
MRF Tyres the ERC Winning Tyre in rain and shine
Mixed conditions added to the challenge facing the FIA European Rally Championship’s four official tyre partners when Tet Rally Liepāja hosted round four of the season last weekend.
Although the rally began in warm and sunny conditions, rain affected much of the route thereafter, making tyre performance a key factor in the outcome of the gravel-based event.
“The rain affected all of us,” said Sesks. “It’s a big difference from a dry stage and having to push on a wet stage and the road is always different on the first and second pass.
“I would say it was the most difficult rally I’ve done in Liepāja and we had to be really concentrated.
“We had two spare tyres left for the Power Stage and we could drive faster with new tyres at the front, they were very good. We won the stage by 0.001s and it is this that makes the sport interesting.”
Starting on Rally Islas Canarias last month, the ERC Winning Tyre accolade goes to the official tyre partner whose products equip the triumphant driver pairing on each of the remaining ERC events. Hankook, Michelin, MRF and Pirelli are the ERC’s four official tyre partners.
The ERC continues on gravel for the inaugural Royal Rally of Scandinavia, which is based Karlstad, Sweden, from 6 - 8 July.
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