DMACK tackles tough territory in arduous Argentina
• Soft compound tyres nominated for the first time in 2017.
• Rough roads provide first big test for new tyre construction.
• Elfyn Evans targets top result and trouble-free drive.
DMACK is aiming for a strong result on next weekend’s gravel adventure at Rally Argentina and a change of fortune for its top WRC crew as they chase more leading times and their best result of the season.
Despite demonstrating world-class speed on both asphalt and gravel this season, Elfyn Evans and co-driver Dan Barritt have experienced a number of technical problems, stopping them from securing the overall results they continue to strive for.
In his M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta WRC, Evans set three fastest times on the debut of DMACK’s new 2017 gravel tyres in Mexico last month and finished third overall in Argentina two years ago. And he’s hoping to emulate that speed on the rough, sandy stages around Villa Carlos Paz next week.
It’s the first time that the soft GS62 compound of DMACK’s DMG+2 gravel tyre has been nominated as the main choice this season — and should cope well in the mainly soft but rutted surfaces.
However, the conditions of the stages have deteriorated in recent years and are now pretty rough and rocky. The chance of punctures is high, especially on second pass, and it will be the first stern test of DMACK’s new run-flat construction.
The mix of stage conditions also means that various tyre performance factors come into play. Mechanical grip, provided by the well-proven DMG+2 tread pattern, plays a big part in the sandy stages whereas compound grip is more prevalent on the harder roads.
One thing that won’t be in short supply is energy and excitement. Rally Argentina is famed for attracting thousands of fans who line the stages, many camping overnight to secure the best vantage points.
While the rally starts with a super-special stage in the centre of Cordoba city on Thursday evening, Friday takes crews south to the Santa Rosa de Calamuchita valley for a loop of three stages. Saturday moves north again before drivers tackle the iconic, high-altitude El Condor and Mina Clavero tests, with their tough lunar landscapes, on Sunday.
Dick Cormack, DMACK managing director, said: “Our tyres have always been competitive in Argentina and we know it’s possible to deliver a strong performance on that surface. However, it has become an arduous and demanding event so we’re all hoping for a trouble-free run.”
Elfyn Evans, DMACK WRC driver, said: “After a few problems at the start of the season, we are hoping to turn things around in Argentina. We have plenty of positives to take from our performance in Mexico and, for a number of reasons, we haven’t achieved the results that I know we are capable of. I’m focused on this rally and aiming for a real result here.”
