ERC winner Tempestini gets late Ceredigion call from MRF Tyres

Tempestini, the winner of V-Híd Rally Hungary in April, is set to contest JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 equipped with tyres from the Indian manufacturer. His fellow Romanian Sergiu Itu will co-drive.  

“I’m really excited because this rally was not planned for me,” said the former Junior WRC champion. “I missed Barum Rally and I was sad not to participate so it was a very good surprise for me to have this possibility and I will try to use it in the best way possible. I have to thank Vivek [Ponnusamy] and MRF Tyres for this opportunity.”  

Tempestini makes his Rali Ceredigion debut 37 points behind leader Hayden Paddon in the race to win the 2024 European championship. But with a maximum of 70 points still on offer across the final two events of the season in Wales and Poland, the 30-year-old remains in title contention. However, he faces a step into the unknown with a new car and tyre package to master and a new rally to learn.

“For sure it’s something not easy,” Tempestini said. “I will drive a completely new car, and new tyres, I never drove the Polo before. I hope to get used [to everything] very fast during the test [tomorrow] and the Free Practice [on Friday] then I hope to have a good rally. I will try with Sergiu to make the best race we can. My preparation is what I managed to do at home, the time is really short but I think we can manage it well.”  

He continued: “Our target is to enjoy as much as we can and learn the tyres. It’s a new event so it will be important experience for next year if we manage to get a start in the ERC. It was not easy to stay at home during Barum so this is a very good opportunity even if we know it’s not an easy one.”  

Tempestini and Itu take over the #18 Team MRF Tyres originally assigned to Amaury Molle and Alex Dubois. But with the pair non-starting in Wales following their Barum Czech Rally Zlín crash, Team MRF Tyres called on Tempestini and Itu as it aims to make up lost ground in its bid to win the FIA European Rally Championship for Teams for a third season running.