DMACK Launches WRC Campaign With New Tyre Range

January 22, 2016

DMACK will kick off its hotly-anticipated sixth season as an authorised tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with a number of firsts at next week’s traditional season-opener Rallye Monte Carlo.
The iconic and hugely challenging event will see DMACK launch its range of new performance products for WRC and compete with a WRC Team for the first time against the likes of Volkswagen and Hyundai for the WRC Manufacturer world title.
Estonians Ott Tänak and Raigo Mõlder will contest all 14 rounds for the recently-launched DMACK World Rally Team at the wheel of an M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta RS WRC – their second full season in a WRC car. Tänak raised eyebrows on last year’s event when running as high as second before dropping time after sliding off the road.
The tough Monte event will see DMACK introduce its all-new asphalt tyre developed specifically to compete at the top of the sport, going head-to-head with tyre giants Michelin and Pirelli. The DMT-RC2 sports a completely new tread pattern, latest generation compounding and redesigned construction to significantly improve performance – all developed by new technical director Fiorenzo Brivio and the firm’s technical partners.
New extra soft and soft compounds will be available to competitors along with revised versions of its DMT-ICE winter tyres in studded and non-studded form. The studded tyre is equipped with nearly 200 metal pins – each protruding 2mm to help bite into the frozen ice and extract as much grip as possible from the cold conditions.
Crews will have the choice of four different tyres, using a maximum of 39 over the weekend, to tackle the extreme adventure.
Monte Carlo is the toughest way to begin the season. It’s one of the most famous, well-known and respected rally events, providing a unique challenge for both competitors and tyre manufacturers.
The traditional asphalt speed tests ribbon their way through the high-altitude mountain passes and it’s that terrain, mixed with the traditional tough winter conditions, which make the event a classic.
Experience of the conditions, predicting the weather and making compromising decisions around tyre choice can make a winning difference. Drivers can expect to face snow, ice, dry and wet asphalt – often all in the same special stage.
The event is once again based in the town of Gap in the Hautes Alpes region of France, however it kicks off with a glitzy start outside the Casino in Monaco on Thursday evening before crews tackle two night-time stages on the way north to Gap.
Friday’s action is held further north and sees two passes over a three-stage loop in the Hautes Alpes and Isère regions. Then competitors return to Monaco on Saturday via the classic Sisteron test and the huge 51.55km runs through Lardier et Valença – Faye.
Sunday sees more familiar territory with three stages taking in the legendary Col de Turini where thousands of fans line the mountain pass to catch some of the most exciting action the event has to offer.
Dick Cormack, DMACK motorsport director, said: “Monte Carlo is renowned for its classic format and hugely demanding conditions where there is a real focus on tyre choice and performance. We’ve been working hard on asphalt development and have made some significant steps in performance. The progress has really motivated everyone in DMACK and we’re all excited to get the new season underway.”
Ott Tänak said: “Monte Carlo is a special rally to start off the season and you always have to expect the unexpected. We have competed on the rally twice before and have good experience but have a new team and new tyres this year. If everything comes together for us and works well then I’m sure we can be competitive.”