M-Sport Return to Rally Stages entries confirmed
Entries for the M-Sport Return to Rally Stages have been confirmed with some familiar names from the M-Sport family.
A range of M-Sport designed and manufactured cars from throughout the past 20 years have been entered including a number of Ford Focus RS WRC and Ford Fiesta RS WRC world rally cars.
Showcasing the full range of M-Sport cars across all levels of competition, a number of Ford Fiesta R5s, Ford Fiesta R2s and even Ford Fiesta STs will also take to the stages.
And if that weren’t enough, M-Sport’s most recent rally cars are also well represented with five Ford Fiesta Rally2s, a Ford Fiesta Rally4 and a top-specification EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC.
Top of the list, the Fiesta WRC will be driven by M-Sport’s chief test driver and Race Team Manager, Matthew Wilson. Wilson knows the forest better than most and is looking forward to showcasing what is one of the team’s most successful rally cars.
M-Sport Ford’s WRC 2 team will also be in action as Rhys Yates and Adrien Fourmaux take to the stages in a pair of Fiesta Rally2s – the latter claiming his first outright victory when Greystoke hosted the UK’s last gravel event at the Malcolm Wilson Rally back in March.
M-Sport Ford Team Principal Richard Millener will also be in action with a Fiesta R2 as will SWP Managing Director Jeremy Packer.
The final highlight will be Malcolm Wilson himself – the M-Sport boss inspecting the stages first-hand as he takes on Course Car duties with his Ford Escort MkII.
There are also a number of familiar names from British and Irish rallying – the Moffett brothers taking to a pair of Fiesta R5s as does Joseph McGonigle, Jason Mitchell and Rory Young.
Stephen Petch will be back behind the wheel of his Fiesta RS WRC as will Charles Payne, and Bentley Academy driver Frank Bird will be back for another bite of the rallying cherry with a Focus RS WRC.
The event will act as an example of how the UK can return to rallying safely and responsibly, but remains strictly non-spectator and fans are kindly reminded to stay away from the forest to ensure this is the case.
M-Sport are however keen to share the action, and a review programme is being produced to share with fans the following week. In the meantime, a full seeded entry list can be viewed here.
M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “We’ve got some great entries for the M-Sport Return to Rally Stages and I’m looking forward to catching up with as many of the competitors as I can.
“Seeing all of the cars on the list is really quite humbling – knowing that each and every one was designed and developed by our people here at Dovenby as well as our base in Krakow.
“Over the past 20 years we’ve worked hard to ensure there is a competitive Ford at all levels of competition, and that’s something we continuously strive to achieve. I think it will be quite emotional seeing all these cars lined up in the service park – each representing what we’ve achieved over the past two decades.
“Of course it’s no secret that we’re going through a particularly tough time at the moment, but seeing all these cars and remembering how we have bounced back from tough times in the past makes me all the more determined to come out the other side and continue to deliver for Cumbria and for rallying.
“I have to say that I’m also looking forward to getting back behind the wheel myself, even if not competitively, and to what I’m sure will be some close-fought competition throughout all the classes.
“All that remains is to say good luck to all of the competitors. I look forward to seeing you all soon, and will keep my fingers crossed for some Cumbrian sunshine!”
