ALI TURKKAN BECAME THE FIRST TURKISH PILOT TO TEST THE NEW GENERATION WRC VEHICLE

Ali Turkkan, the champion pilot of Castrol Ford Team Turkey, got behind the wheel of the WRC racing car. Turkkan, who drew attention with the third place in the World Youth Rally Championship this year, became the first Turkish pilot to use the car in the top ranking of the rally world together in this test.

Ali Turkkan, who visited the headquarters of M-Sport in England, which is responsible for Ford’s World Rally Team in the World Rally Championship (WRC), made ground-based drives with the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 vehicle with a power of over 500 horsepower and with this test, it is one step closer to the WRC.
After the test, Ali Turkkan said: “Driving this high-end vehicle was a result of the efforts we put in with Castrol Ford Team Turkey for about 5 years. Testing the WRC Rally1 is a very special feeling, but what’s even more exciting is to make my career able to drive the Rally1 with the support of global brands like Castrol and Ford. It was a promising test for the future. After this test, both M-Sport and we know that when an opportunity comes in the coming period, I will be able to evaluate it. It was also proud for our country. This could be the first step to represent Turkey at the top of the rally branch.”
Nilay Tatlısoz, General Manager of Castrol Turkey, Ukraine and Central Asia, said: “As a company that believes in pushing the limits of performance and continuous improvement, Castrol Ford Team Turkey and our country has been a historic day for motor sports. It was very valuable to watch the test of Ali Turkkan, whom we have supported as a team since the very beginning and who has achieved significant successes at a young age, with the WRC vehicle. Ali Turkkan is a very talented and open pilot. Using the most advanced tool in the world of rally, it is moving towards its goal by approaching the WRC step by step. As Castrol, we continue our commitment to motorsports with our 125 years of experience. This is part of our quest for technological innovation and high performance. It also gives us great happiness to contribute to the fact that a young talent from our country is at the top of this sport on international platforms.”
Finally, Ford Turkey Deputy General Manager Ozgur Yuceturk added: “We have been supporting motor sports in Turkey as a Ford brand since 1998. This is a long and exciting journey. It also encourages us to see young pilots like Ali Turkkan grow up. It is very important for our country that Ali Turkkan uses the Rally1 vehicle, which competes in the highest category of Ford’s World Rally Championship. Ali Turkkan obtained the title of the first pilot from our country, who tested the new generation WRC car, which is the highest vehicle in the rally world, with this test. Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, which is a product of our brand’s innovative approach, reflects the high level of motorsports. One of the landmarks in the WRC as a hybrid racing car, the Puma Hybrid Rally1 combines its high power with environmentally friendly performance. The test made by Ali Turkkan with this high-level vehicle also inspires our young athletes.”