Nicky Pastorelli to race FRD’s Ford Focus TCR in Malaysia

Dutch driver Nicky Pastorelli will take over the wheel of FRD Team’s new Ford Focus TCR this weekend as the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, as the Hong Kong team continues to push forward the development of the new car.

The 33-year-old sportscar veteran will take over from Kenneth Ma, president of FRD who drove the car for its debut earlier this month in Singapore.

“I am excited to discover the TCR International Series, about which I have heard many nice things, and the Ford Focus,” said Pastorelli.

“I have very good relationship with FRD engineering personnel from past experience, and they have called me in for this event. It is going to be interesting and challenging, as I don’t know the car, which is still in full development. I don’t know the track and this will be my first experience with a front-wheel drive touring car. But I like this kind of challenge.”

Team principal Kenneth Ma is comfortable the team will see continued progress this weekend in Malaysia from the Focus, which supersedes the Onyx-built car.

“Finishing close to the points position on our debut event showed that the FRD Ford Focus TCR has great potential,” said Ma.” Our race pace was encouraging, but most importantly we identified areas in need of improvement, so we have worked hard to refine our car for Sepang.”