Pontus Tidemand has announced that he will be taking part in the second round of the 2015 FIA World Rally Championship at Rally Sweden.
The Swede will enter the rally in a M-Sport run Ford Fiesta in the WRC 2 category and will be looking to emulate previous performances on the traditionally snowy rally.
2013 saw him make a stunning debut in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, running as high as fourth overall as the fastest Ford driver. In 2014 Tidemand finished eighth place to take his first world championship points.
“Of course it would have been amazing to drive a world rally car again,” said Tidemand, “but we are aiming for the WRC 2 championship this year and it is important to fight from the start and get a good result from my home event.
“Experience wise, I think my chances are pretty good as this is the WRC event on which I have the most experience, but I know that there will be some really tough competition.”
Tidemand has shown promise already in his short rally career and for 2015 has set his sights on the WRC2 championship as he looks to compete in as many events as possible in the Ford Fiesta R5. Last season saw him take two podium finishes including a victory.
“This will definitely be an exciting year and I’m happy to start my season in Sweden as that is the highlight of the rally year for me. Last year I got to drive the Fiesta R5 on gravel and asphalt so it will be really fun to see what a similar car can do on winter roads.
“We obviously aim for the top position at Rally Sweden, but I do not feel any pressure to perform just because I’m on home soil. Quite the opposite – I feel the support from the spectators and that encourages me to give that little bit extra!”
