The Sparco supported M-Sport World Rally Team has finished this weekend’s Australian WRC event with Mikko Hirvonen in fifth place and Elfyn Evans in eighth – a solid result for the team down under.

 

The team was in the mix with the front-runners on the first day of the rally, the tenth round of this year’s FIA World Rally Championship, with Hirvonen setting competitive stage times. The Finn finished second quickest in SS3 and third in SS2 and SS4, which helped him to start the rally strongly.

 

Wearing Sparco’s high performing, lightweight EXTREMA RS-10 overalls, Hirvonen was comfortably in the top five throughout the rally and was in a close fight for fourth place during Sunday’s final stages. 

 

His team-mate Evans, also wearing the EXTREMA RS-10, made progress during the weekend on his first visit to Rally Australia, and was rewarded with a top eight finish.

 

Sparco was present on the WRC2 podium this weekend as Jari Ketomaa finished second and 12th overall, with Yuriy Protasov in third place.

 

Sparco’s Motorsport Manager Daniela Vignale said: “It’s always great to see Sparco’s products in action in Australia and we are delighted to see the M-Sport World Rally Team on the pace this weekend. The Australian rally has some very long stages, particularly the 49km Nambucca stage on Saturday, so it is vital that drivers can rely on the comfort of their overalls. Our EXTREMA RS-10 is perfect for this since it offers lightweight comfort, and allows drivers to focus on negotiating the tough stages. We now look forward to the return of the WRC to Europe for Rally France Alsace in three weeks from now.”