Chinese tire maker DMACK will run its rubber on a World Rally Car for the first time in next week's Rally GB, when Ott Tanak's Ford Fiesta RS WRC is fitted with the company's all-new gravel cover.
DMACK has nominated a new tire specifically designed for the wet and muddy conditions on Britain's round of the World Rally Championship. Tanak tested the tire yesterday and admitted he was happy with the feeling from the more open tread pattern from the DMG Plus.
"The test has been quite good," he said. "It was my first test in a WRC car on gravel and it's all really new but we have tried a few different tires and the feeling just gets better and better all the time.
"Everything is new for me on this rally – the tires, the car and the team – so it will be hard. If I'm comfortable and the feeling is good then let's see what we can do."
Dick Cormack, DMACK tires motorsport director, said he was delighted to see his tires on a car at the front of the field: "Ott is one of the world's brightest young stars and it's really exciting to have him running on our tires for Rally GB. It's a thrilling end to the season for us and to see DMACK on a World Rally car for the first time is a great achievement. Hopefully, Ott and the Ford Fiesta will help us demonstrate the performance and potential of our tires."
All of the other World Rally cars will be fitted with Michelin's gravel tire for the event, which starts from Llandudno next Thursday.