Pieniążek heads WRC 2 field in Mexico

Łukasz Pieniążek leads the WRC 2 entries at Rally Guanajuato Mexico (7 – 10 March) and the Pole is eager to impress during only his second event in a Ford Fiesta R5.

Łukasz Pieniążek leads the WRC 2 entries at Rally Guanajuato Mexico (7 – 10 March) and the Pole is eager to impress during only his second event in a Ford Fiesta R5.

Mexico represents a big step into the unknown for Pieniążek, who has never competed outside Europe before.

After making his debut with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team in Sweden (pictured above), the 28-year-old and co-driver Kamil Heller have taken steps to ready themselves for the high temperatures and demanding stage conditions they will face in Mexico.

“We have been training really hard, and we’re ready for the battle,” Pieniążek said. “We left Poland on Thursday to give ourselves two days to acclimatise ahead of Monday’s pre-event test.

“I didn’t find a set-up that was perfectly suited to my driving in Sweden, but we have a few ideas of what we can improve. We want to continue the work we started in Sweden – to try a few things and get to know our Fiesta better.”

Pieniążek is the only driver registered for the WRC 2 Pro category, but he insisted he would still be fighting. “Our goal is to be the first R5 crew so we won’t be cruising and we’ll try to go as fast as possible,” he explained.

There are four entries in the WRC 2 category for privateer drivers. Local hero Benito Guerra returns in a Skoda Fabia R5, 12 months after a fire destroyed his car at his Mexico pre-event test.
Also in a Skoda is 18-year-old rising star Marco Bulacia, who has been hailed as Bolivia’s answer to Kalle Rovanperä. He returns for a first WRC appearance since October’s RallyRACC Catalunya - Rally de España.

Chile’s Albert Heller and his older brother Pedro will both drive Ford Fiestas. Alberto was the winner of his most recent WRC 2 appearance at last year’s season-ending round in Australia.
Head to WRC+ to watch All Live from Rally Guanajuato Mexico including every stage broadcast live, breaking service park news and expert studio analysis.

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