The newest challenger from the Ford stables has successfully completed its first round of testing. The Ford Fiesta S2000 has completed it initial gravel and tarmac tests as it continues it’s early yet accelerated development.
M-Sport, who is responsible for Ford’s rallying program has carried out the initial tests of the car as they prepare for the 2010 season. The car is now ready to make the track to Lommel, Belgium where it will undergo further tests. The car will then head to Spain for the final tests on both tarmac and gravel before being made available to competitors ahead of the 2010 season. Thus far the car has performed well and the development team has put in around 1200 kms during the test. The initial shakedown and debugging process has went according to the tight schedule this program has been on since April 2009 when the decision was made to start the program.
The Fiesta car is not set to replace the Focus, however it will be entered into S2000 classes around the world. This includes the new WRC World Cup as well as the IRC and a number of national championship events around the world, a point that M-Sport and Ford look to take full advantage of.
Are they going to use the S2000 spec for the open class in Rally America as well?