M-Sport have confirmed that its World Championship-leading Ford Fiesta RS WRC car will run for the public in the UK for the first time at The Rally Show at Cornbury Park on 14th and 15th May.
The car has had a successful start to its World Rally career, taking victory on round one of the 2011 season on Rally Sweden in the hands of Mikko Hirvonen, with team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala giving it a debut double podium with a third place finish. They followed this up with another double podium on round two, Rally Guanajuato Mexico , with Hirvonen second and Latvala third again.
M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE said: “The Ford Fiesta RS WRC is M-Sport’s new car, designed in collaboration with Ford of Europe. It has had a dream start to 2011, with a podium clean sweep at the FIA World Rally Championship in Sweden, followed by a double podium at Rally Mexico. We can’t wait to bring it to The Rally Show at Cornbury Park, where visitors and rally fans will get a chance to see the car close up.”
Malcolm Neill, The Rally Show Managing Director added: “I recently saw the new 1.6Litre turbo World Rally Cars in action at Rally Mexico; they sound better, and on some stages were putting in faster times than the old 2-litre turbo cars. M-Sport is a long-time supporter of The Rally Show and the Fiesta is sure to be a highlight of the weekend. We are very excited that it is coming to Cornbury Park.”
Also on show will be former British Rally Champion Gwyndaf Evans, World Champion co-driver Phil Mills and rally legends Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes and Vic Elford. Local driver Simon Mauger will be demonstrating his Mk2 Ford Escort while entertaining the crowds will be stunt driver Terry Grant.
The Rally Show began back in 2007 at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, giving fans an authentic motorsport experience at a prestigious venue. After four successful shows at Chatsworth, 2011 sees the event move to Cornbury Park Estate in Oxfordshire. The Estate, the family home of The Lord and Lady Rotherwick, hosted a special stage on the Network Q Rally in the 1990's and recently appeared on BBC Top Gear.
Lady Rotherwick said: “We are delighted to be hosting The Rally Show at Cornbury Park. For many years, we hosted the Network Q RAC Rally, and can’t wait to bring live action motorsport to the estate once more. It will be a fabulous weekend for all the family.”
