Tamrazov set for World Rally Car debut

Oleksii Tamrazov will become the first driver from the Ukraine to compete in a new-generation World Rally Car when he enters the Acropolis Rally in Greece later this month.

Tamrazov, a regular on European rallies, will drive a Ford Fiesta /RS WRC on the Loutraki-based round as he steps up from a Super 2000-version of the Fiesta.

“I want to drive a World Rally Car to experience what it is like,” said Tamrazov. “I have driven the old type of World Rally Car and I liked it, particularly the feeling you have with a turbo car. I want to get as many kilometres as possible so my target in Greece is just to finish, that is all.”

The 38-year-old Tamrazov is due to undertake a test in Greece on Sunday. However, with regular co-driver Nicola Arena already committed to partnering Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari on the gravel event, Tamrazov has recruited countryman Oleksandr Gorbik instead.

Tamrazov won’t be the only World Rally Car rookie competing on the Acropolis when it runs from 25-27 May. Al-Kuwari, from Qatar, is also a newcomer to the class in a MINI John Cooper Works WRC, while Cypriot driver Spyros Pavlides will use a Fiesta RS WRC.