The NGK-sponsored M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs will be back in action this week as the FIA World Rally Championship resumes at Rally Estonia, almost six months after the global Coronavirus pandemic brought world sport to a standstill.

The event, which takes place on September 4-6, marks the first return to live competitive rallying since the team’s Teemu Suninen and Jarmo Lehtinen took third place at Rally Mexico in their Fiesta WRC which is fitted with NGK spark plugs and NTK Lambda sensors.

Hosting the return of top-flight rallying, the Estonian fixture has been organised in line with new guidelines set out by the FIA and Estonian Government and strict protocols to ensure a safe and successful return include mandatory testing, the use of face coverings, social distancing and the creation of groups to minimise the potential risk.

As a new event in a new-look 2020 calendar, Estonia becomes the 33rd country to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship reflecting the Estonians love for rallying. Team Principal Richard Millener said, “It’s great to be going rallying again. This rally is going to be the blueprint for all future FIA World Rally Championship events and I have to say that the organisers have done a fantastic job in ensuring its safe and successful running.”

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs said, “I’m sure that all NGK customers who are WRC fans will be delighted that the season is finally getting underway again and will be following the progress of the M-Sport team.”