Ford announced today that they will be making available in the U.S. the R2 Rally kit (in gravel or tarmac trim). The kit was designed by M-Sport, Ford’s WRC partner. The kit includes a bump in power to 168HP and 134 lb/ft of torque, a new suspension, roll cage, 4 pot brakes, limited slip diff, sequential gearbox and more. The kit will be available exclusively from Team O’Neil Motorsports. Also available will be a Stage 1 kit that will be somewhat less ‘hardcore’, for rally enthusiasts.
The new 168 HP Ford Fiesta R2 Rally Kit
I’m fairly certain this Ford kit should make the ford Fiesta somewhat close to what is currently running in the S-WRC (minus the AWD) and has been fairly impressive. Henning Solberg has been driving one for much of the season and has made a few finishes in the top 10 in the very under-powered Fiesta.
Also announced was a new Rally America spec class, Fiesta Sport Trophy Championship, for the R2 Fiesta’s purchased through and built by Team O’Neil. The class will run in the RallyCar Rally America National Championship 2WD class. The winner of the class will get the opportunity to compete in an international competition, Fiesta Sport Trophy International Shootout, in Great Britain. The winner of that event will then be granted a 1 year residency on the M-Sport team to work with the BP Ford WRC team, which consists of drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen.
This is exciting news and hopefully other manufacturers will get on board to do this same thing. This package should be a great way for new people to jump into the sport. It could definitely lead to greater participation at Rally America events and a growth in the sport. I also hope that Rally America may look to adding a manufacturers championship like WRC currently has to increase manufacturer interest and participation.
