Ketomaa back in action

Jari Ketomaa got back behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC for the first time since Vodafone Rally de Portugal when he undertook a development test for tyre firm DMACK in Greece yesterday (Monday).

Ketomaa, from Finland, is tackling selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia this season, but has been absent from the series since its visit to the Algarve in late March.

DMACK has recently introduced its DMG+2 gravel tyre in accordance with governing body the FIA’s ‘joker’ system. It says the new closed tread pattern offers drivers enhanced levels of high-speed stability, while the new H1 compound provides increased durability.

Ketomaa was testing on rough gravel roads close to where the Acropolis Rally, Greece’s round of the WRC, took place last week and where DMACK was also in action in the Production Car World Rally Championship and Rally Class categories.

“Both the Acropolis Rally and the rough gravel test have been a great success for DMACK,” said the firm’s motorsport head Dick Cormack. “We introduced the DMG+2 as our new joker tyre for the rally and it’s been a huge step forward in terms of performance and durability. Of the 250 tyres fitted during the Acropolis Rally, DMACK had only one puncture.”

Cormack continued: “The test was to evaluate four new hard gravel compounds and constructions for the 2013 championship as part of our strategy to perform at the top level with the best teams, cars and drivers. It’s important for DMACK to be competing with Michelin, one of the greatest motorsport tyre brands in the world, and that’s really helped to raise our game and drive development forward.”