Swedish ace Tidemand gets WRC drive

Pontus Tidemand, one of the frontrunners of last year’s WRC Academy, will make his World Rally Car debut on his home event in Sweden next month.

Tidemand, 22, will drive a Ford Fiesta RS WRC thanks largely to the fundraising efforts of his mentor, former rally driver Bror Daniesson, and the support of companies in the youngster’s home Värmland region.

“It feels completely crazy,” admitted Tidemand. “We’re starting to approach my big goal, a WRC start in Rally Sweden. It’s been long days lately to make it all come together, but it will be worth it.”

In Sweden Tidemand will begin a new co-driving partnership with the Norwegian Ola Fløene, who previously navigated Andreas Mikkelsen.

The pair will go up against a strong selection of rivals, with a total of 20 World Rally Cars on the entry list. “It will be really tough to make it into the top ten,” said Tidemand. “But our goal is to score points and set a few good stage times. I can neither expect nor ask more than that from myself.”