Chennai, Sep 20 (Agency) Team MRF Tyres took second place in the Azores Rallye, the fifth round of the FIA European Rally Championship after a great battle for top positions. New recruits Dani Sordo and Cándido Carrera battled hard for the victory in the Team MRF Tyres Hyundai i20 R5. After finishing on top after the first day’s action, there was a a tough fight throughout the day. After Friday, the top three contenders were separated by just 4.5 seconds. A release from MRF today said the Saturday’s running saw seven stages and 88km of timed action.
The day started well with stage wins on SS8 and SS9, the latter being the legendary 24km Sete Cidades test around the volcano. The team were attacking the stages, employing an aggressive strategy, while still maintaining the data and development goals. The final three stages witnessed a titanic battle between Team MRF Tyres and Andreas Mikkelsen and Elliott Edmondson. In the end, Team MRF Tyres took second place, the second podium place of the season, demonstrating the rapid pace of development that has been achieved. The team will be back in action in the next round of the FIA ERC with the Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras from October 1 to 3. It is the second Portuguese rally of the season, the last gravel rally and a new rally for the Championship.