Norwegian rally ace Andreas Mikkelsen and co-driver Ole Fløene are looking to build on success on the recent Ypres Rally when they finished fifth overall on the asphalt event and are confident that they are ready to produce the same pace on gravel.

Final preparations are being made for this weekend’s round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event as the Hankook Ford Fiesta S2000 is readied for the Rallye Açores.

Action on the Portuguese owned islands gets underway on Thursday before two full days of high speed rally stages and Hankook UK motorsport manager Mike Patterson said the event is set to provide a good showcase for the car, and crucially the Hankook tyres.

“We have worked hard ahead of this rally to ensure that everything is ready for Andreas and Ole to set consistently good times from the very start,’’ he said. “Testing has been extremely good and we are confident that this will be translated into another good result for us.’’

Feedback from the crew who are currently completing their recce of the stages suggests a tough and tricky rally ahead with stages which should really suit the M Sport prepared Ford Fiesta S2000 and the Hankook tyres.

The event is one of seven selected IRC rounds Mikkelsen will contest this year in the

Hankook Ford Fiesta S2000. The Hankook IRC programme also includes Czech Republic, San Remo, Scotland and Cyprus.

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