Race against time for Dalton’s new Fiesta Proto

Richie Dalton’s Shamrock Motorsport team are in a race against time to have their new Ford Fiesta Proto ready for its first event in early April.

Richie Dalton's Fiesta Proto is a seriously looking rally car.Dalton and co-driver John Allen are entered in the first round of the New Zealand Rally Championship, the Otago Rally, from April 7 to 9.

But wiring issues have seen delays in getting the car finished.

“I hope we make it. We are under pressure with wiring, but fingers crossed. It will be tight,” Dalton told RallySport Magazine.

A further spanner was thrown in the works when a cleaner not associated with the team accidentally threw out the fly-by-wire throttle body for the car.

Not only is the throttle body valued at $840, there are none available in Australia for six weeks.

Luckily for Dalton, fellow Irishman, JJ Hatton, had one available, getting the Shamrock team out of trouble in the short term.

The new Fiesta Proto, built in Poland before being shipped to Australia, is looking magnificent, with spectators eager to see the car in action in the Otago Rally.

- Peter Whitten

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