M-Sport to build Super 2000 Ford Fiesta

M-Sport, the company which manages Ford’s WRC programme, is about to start work on a new Super 2000 specification rally car which will conform to the new FIA World Rally Championship technical regulations.

The car, based on the new Ford Fiesta, is expected to test for the first time in September this year and be finished in time for a homologation date of January 2010.

British based M-Sport has been Ford's partner in the WRC since 1997 and developed the Focus RS WRC that won the WRC manufacturers' title for Ford in 2006 and 2007.

The firm says the knowledge gained from the development of that car, and M-Sport’s expertise in design and engineering, will be transferred to the creation of the next generation of S2000 car. The project will again be led by the team’s award winning technical director Christian Loriaux.

The Super 2000 formula was last month confirmed as the future for the WRC, superseding the current generation of World Rally Cars by the start of the 2011 season.

M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson said: “I’m delighted that after completing an extensive feasibility study M-Sport has decided to proceed with the development of a new Fiesta Super 2000 car. The creation of this car will be an important step in reducing the cost of rallying and will make competing in the World Rally Championship more affordable.

“Work is about to get underway on the car and it will be available for competitors to purchase in time for the 2010 season. M-Sport developed the Ford Focus RS WRC which has taken over 100 consecutive WRC points finishes and our technical knowledge and top-class engineering should make the new Fiesta Super 2000 just as successful,” he added.

Source:
http://www.wrc.com