Wraps come off Ford’s new Fiesta R2

The latest rallying version of the Ford Fiesta, the R2, was unveiled in Sardinia last night, on the eve of the second round of the 2009 Fiesta SportTrophy competition.

Designed to replace the current SportTrophy model, the Fiesta ST, the new model is targeted both at competitors in the Fiesta one make series, as well as regional rally championships around the world.

The 1600cc front-wheel drive car is the result of an engineering collaboration between M-Sport and Ford and is in the final stages of its test programme in readiness for an expected homologation date of 1 July 2009.

While the car will not compete on the weekend’s Rally d’Italia - Sardinia, it will be driven as a course safety car ahead of the main entry by FST International Shootout winner Matthias Boon and his co-driver Massimiliano Bosi.

Last month M-Sport announced the development of a Super 2000 Fiesta. The firm says that the Super 2000 and the R2 will create a complete ladder of opportunity for rally drivers to graduate from grass roots level to WRC using Ford vehicles.

Ford of Europe Motorsport Director Mark Deans said: "The continued commitment of M-Sport to its Fiesta SportTrophy series is great news and we are eager to see the new Fiesta in rallying. I'm confident the R2 will play a key role as the ideal entry-level car.

“While Ford of Europe's principle motorsport activity remains the FIA World Rally Championship, we will do everything we can at a local level to support the Fiesta SportTrophy in individual markets and we wish M-Sport every success with their new Fiesta projects,” he added.

Five drivers are registered for this weekend’s second round of the Fiesta SportTrophy International: Germany’s Patrick Anglade and Denis Grodetskiy from Russia take on Team Abu Dhabi drivers Ahmed Al Mansoori, Majed Al Shamsi and Bader Al Jabri. And with first-round victor Craig Breen concentrating on his British Rally Championship campaign, there is certain a new winner this time.