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Duval Tackles Three Tarmac Tests For Stobart

Wed 07 May, 04:20 PM


François Duval will rejoin the Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally Team as a nominated points-scoring driver on three further rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship. The events to be contested by Duval will be the three remaining tarmac rallies this season: ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Rallye de España and Rallye de France – Tour de Corse.

The deal has been made available thanks to Belgian construction firm Structo who have purchased a brand new Ford Focus RS WRC07 from M-Sport and have offered to support Duval's entry on all three events.

On event the Focus RS will be serviced by both M-Sport technicians and technicians from R-Tec Motorsport. R-Tec are no strangers to World Rally Cars, with firm experience of the Focus WRC, guiding Pieter Tsjoen to victory in the 2006 Belgian Rally Championship.

Duval is yet to name a co-driver for the three events with his partner from Monte-Carlo, Eddy Chevaillier, unable to navigate the 27-year-old due to commitments with GpN driver Peter van Merksteijn Jr.

Having the Belgian driver on these three events is set to be a huge asset to the Stobart team in their quest for strong points finishes in the Manufacturers' Championship.

Team Principal Malcolm Wilson:

"It's a great boost for the Stobart team to have François confirmed for these three events, especially with his wealth of experience on tarmac. The team put in a strong challenge for third place in the Manufacturers' Championship throughout 2007 and now with François scoring on these tarmac events it could again become a close race by the end of the year."