Work is due to commence soon on the car, which will be ready for homologation in January 2010. It will be based on the new Ford Fiesta and is set to be M-Sport’s first global rally car allowing competitors in all regional championships to compete for overall victory.
M-Sport has been Ford's partner in the WRC since 1997 and developed the record-breaking Focus RS WRC that won the world rally championship manufacturers' title for Ford in both 2006 and 2007. 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.
FIA WRC sporting regulations differ from current IRC Super 2000 rules and the demanding pairing of engines and use of a limited number of components throughout the season means that the car will be designed from the outset to provide superior reliability.
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. Many championships across the globe welcome Super 2000 cars, ensuring that customer demand will stretch from national level up the sport's pinnacle at the WRC.
With testing planned for the latter part of the year, the car will be available for national championship competitors in time for the start of the 2010 season.
This announcement means that by the end of 2009 M-Sport will have created a complete ladder of opportunity for rally competitors using Ford vehicles. M-Sport’s successful Fiesta SportTrophy already offers drivers an entry into the sport at national level before progressing on to the Fiesta SportTrophy International.
With the introduction of the new Fiesta R2 in the coming months and now the Fiesta Super 2000 it will allow competitors to graduate in Ford cars from national level right through to the WRC.
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.â€