Fast and tricky conditions in the new northern event location of Umeå would see the new generation of cars put to the ultimate test on the high speed snow and ice stages for the very first time.
After a weekend filled with ups and downs and tough stage conditions, Gus Greensmith and Swedish co-driver Jonas Andersson would see their confident and solid drive rewarded with a second consecutive fifth overall finish. They now lie fourth in the official drivers’ championship rankings and are the leading M-Sport crew after the first two events of the season.
Craig Breen and Paul Nagle had to retire from Friday’s action after getting stuck in a snowbank. However, the second day of competition would see Breen claim his first stage win as an M-Sport driver and simultaneously a first stage win for the Puma Rally1 Hybrid on snow and ice. However, further bad luck would see the car suffer an electrical issue and although they were able to find and fix the fault, they would be over their allotted time limit and forced to retire for the day.
The final day would see Breen drive through the stages preserving his tyres for the all-important power stage where he would take a vital point to go towards his championship tally.
Meanwhile, Adrien Fourmaux and Alex Coria had to retire from the event following misfiring issues, an unfortunate result which didn’t reflect the maturity and sensible drive completed up until that time.
Richard Millener, Team Principal, said: “We knew that repeating the fairy tale of Monte Carlo would be tricky, but I think we are all a little disappointed with how the weekend panned out when we know that we can be on the pace of the other drivers. Some small technical issues coupled with some small mistakes from the drivers meant we didn’t manage to capitalise on our great start last month.”
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK is a long-time supporter of the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team. Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “It proved to be a very difficult rally for M-Sport but the team battled hard and showed great attitude in harsh conditions.”
About NGK SPARK PLUG:
Worldwide: NGK SPARK PLUG is one of the leading automotive and technical ceramics suppliers, with its corporate headquarters in Nagoya, Japan and sales organisations and production facilities all over the world. The automotive side of the company specialises in the fields of ignition and sensor technology, supplying Original Equipment customers across the globe. For the Aftermarket, its product portfolio comprises spark plugs, glow plugs, ignition coils and leads under the NGK Ignition Parts brand. Under the brand NTK Vehicle Electronics the company offers oxygen sensors (including NOx sensors), exhaust gas temperature sensors (EGTS), mass air flow (MAF) and manifold absolute/boost pressure (MAP) sensors as well as engine speed and position sensors. With around 16,400 employees, the company’s automotive and technical ceramics activities generate a total annual turnover of around 3.7 billion Euros worldwide. NGK SPARK PLUG’s EMEA sales represent 32% of this global turnover. NGK SPARK PLUG operates on all continents and has 60 group companies, 35 production plants, five Technical Centres and three Venture Labs.
Aftermarket EMEA: NGK SPARK PLUG has seen significant growth across the Aftermarket since expanding beyond motorcycle parts into the automotive sector in the 1970s. With an outstanding commitment to quality, technology and research & development the company has become the world’s number one in spark plugs and oxygen sensors, and a leading provider of glow plugs, ignition coils and leads as well as further sensor technology. Organisationally NGK SPARK PLUG’s regional headquarters in Ratingen, Germany serves the Aftermarket across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In the EMEA region the company has six regional companies and more than 1,000 employees, as well as two production plants in France and South Africa and a Technical Centre in Germany.
For more information please visit: www.ngkntk.com
For further information please contact:
Annika Lustig, Specialist PR & Communications, Aftermarket EMEA, NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE GmbH
Harkortstr. 41, 40880 Ratingen, Germany, AG Duesseldorf HRB 43118
Tel: +49 (0)21 02 974 152 E-mail: a_lustig@ngkntk.de
UK & Ireland - For further information contact:
Andy Hurst
Hurst Media Services
Tel: +44 (0)1354 657253; Mobile: 0773 694 7803
April 2022
NGK Ambassador Charlie Martin will contest the 2022 Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship with Dream Racing, competing alongside co-driver and teammate, Jason Keats.
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British racing driver Nic Hamilton – who is sponsored by ignition and sensor specialist NGK – is confirmed to drive for Team HARD. Racing’s Cupra Leon line-up for the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.
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Motorcycle racing legend John McGuinness is featured on the front cover of NGK’s new 2022/2023 Motorcycle and ATV catalogue.
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Seven-time UK pro mod champion Andy Robinson returns to drag racing this month in his NGK-sponsored race car ‘Anger Management 2.0’.
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NGK-sponsored racing driver Charlie Martin has joined the ROKiT MB Motorsport team as its Official Development Driver for the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
Read moreMarch 2022
NGK has announced it has suspended its commercial operations in Russia and Belarus until further notice.
Read moreMarch 2022
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK has been presented with a prestigious new industry accolade.
Read moreMarch 2022
Tim Ward is leaving NGK after 21 years’ service with the ignition and sensor specialist.
Read moreMarch 2022
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK is to sponsor motorcycle ace Chrissy Rouse in his full debut season in the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
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Ignition and sensor specialist NGK has announced it is to sponsor motorcycle racing legend John McGuinness at this year’s Isle of Man TT and throughout the 2022 season.
Read moreMarch 2022
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK has achieved an impressive milestone by raising £20,000 for a leading UK charity.
Read moreMarch 2022
Rally Sweden proved to be an eventful and challenging rally for the NGK-sponsored M-Sport Ford WRC team, following the highs of Monte Carlo last month.
Read moreFebruary 2022
Long-term Speedway supporter NGK is sponsoring an all-star group of riders in the 2022 World Speedway Championship.
Read moreFebruary 2022
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd has appointed Rob Hope as a new Sales Representative.
Read moreFebruary 2022
NGK SPARK PLUG – the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist – is proud to announce the phased UK introduction of a wide range of EGR valves to its NTK Vehicle Electronics brand.
Read moreApril 2022
NGK Ambassador Charlie Martin will contest the 2022 Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship with Dream Racing, competing alongside co-driver and teammate, Jason Keats.
Read moreApril 2022
British racing driver Nic Hamilton – who is sponsored by ignition and sensor specialist NGK – is confirmed to drive for Team HARD. Racing’s Cupra Leon line-up for the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.
Read moreApril 2022
Motorcycle racing legend John McGuinness is featured on the front cover of NGK’s new 2022/2023 Motorcycle and ATV catalogue.
Read moreApril 2022
Seven-time UK pro mod champion Andy Robinson returns to drag racing this month in his NGK-sponsored race car ‘Anger Management 2.0’.
Read moreMarch 2022
NGK-sponsored racing driver Charlie Martin has joined the ROKiT MB Motorsport team as its Official Development Driver for the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
Read moreMarch 2022
NGK has announced it has suspended its commercial operations in Russia and Belarus until further notice.
Read moreMarch 2022
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK has been presented with a prestigious new industry accolade.
Read moreMarch 2022
Tim Ward is leaving NGK after 21 years’ service with the ignition and sensor specialist.
Read moreMarch 2022
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK is to sponsor motorcycle ace Chrissy Rouse in his full debut season in the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Read moreMarch 2022
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK has announced it is to sponsor motorcycle racing legend John McGuinness at this year’s Isle of Man TT and throughout the 2022 season.
Read more