Ford to Attract Would-Be Drivers With Rally-Ready Fiesta R2 Kit

For rally fans looking to imitate what successful Ford rally drivers Mikko Hirvonen, Jari-Matti Latlava and Ken Block have accomplished, a new Fiesta R2 rally package is the place to start.

Currently available throughout Europe, Ford Racing Performance Group is bringing the competition-ready package stateside to let enthusiasts turn their five-door Fiesta into a Fiesta R2 that's ready to compete on the roads of RallyCar's Rally America National Championship. "The spirit of One Ford is making it possible for us to bring the best of European rally racing to competitors in the U.S.," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsport. "The Fiesta R2 has already proven itself in Europe as a great platform for aspiring rally drivers."
The winner of the 2011 U.S. Fiesta Sport Trophy Championship will also have the opportunity to compete in the R2 class during next year's Wales Rally GB.

Developed by M-Sport, Ford's WRC partner since 1997, the kit will convert a production Fiesta to rally specification. Included in the package are engine parts that will increase the performance of the 1.6-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder engine: pistons, conrods, camshafts, valve springs, injectors, airbox, air filter and a sump baffle kit. The performance enhancements deliver 168 horsepower and 134 lb.-ft. of torque, a 40 percent increase in horsepower over the production Fiesta. Also included is a downright delectable five speed sequential gearbox from Sadev with flat shift gear cut, Reiger adjustable dampers with Eibach springs, ventilated disc brakes with AP four-piston competition calipers and of course, a T45 steel multipoint roll cage.