Dealer
Greensmith carries home WRC 2 Pro hopes
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Having scored a dramatic WRC 2 Pro victory last time out in Turkey, Gus Greensmith is hoping to repeat that – the victory, not the drama – on Wales Rally GB.
Co-driven by Elliott Edmondson, Gus fought back from dropping two and a half minutes with a puncture on the opening stage of Friday morning in Turkey – only to roll into a ditch after the flying finish of the penultimate stage!
But after getting the Ford Fiesta R5 back onto the road, the former Manchester City FC youth goalkeeper made one of the saves of his life to reach the finish and give the M-Sport designed and built Mk II its maiden WRC 2 Pro victory.
The result moved Gus into joint second in the class points’ standings with Mads Østberg (Citroën C3 R5), while Kalle Rovanperä (ŠKODA Fabia R5) is odds-on favourite to become the first WRC 2 Pro World Champion.
WRC 2 Pro will be a very interesting battle on WRGB, with the added spice of Hayden Paddon/John Kennard competing in a Fiesta R5 Mk II for the very first time.
“It’s always a nice feeling to be back on home soil, and there are some truly legendary stages at this event,” says Gus. “It’s a rally with some really tough days for the crews, and the weather can be really challenging too – it’s not a matter of if the fog comes, but when, and it’s that challenge that I’ve always enjoyed.
“It was great to secure the first victory for the Ford Fiesta R5 MkII in Turkey – albeit in somewhat surreal and dramatic circumstances! I had a big feeling of pride after that win because everyone had worked really hard. We proved our potential and the potential of the car, and have already made some further steps since then.
“Our goal is always to fight for the top positions, but the competition is going to be really strong next weekend. It will be tough, but I feel we have a good package and that we have what it takes to deliver another strong result for M-Sport and Ford.”
Gus Greensmith and Elliott Edmondson wear STILO WRC DES CARBON PIUMA helmets.
