M-Sport has confirmed its all-new Fiesta S2000 will make its first public appearance in the Rally of Scotland on Nov. 19-21.
After test sessions on both gravel and asphalt, the Cumbrian-based firm made the decision last night to run the Fiesta ahead of the main field later this month. The Fiesta S2000 will run as the first of two course cars in the Stirling-based event.
It is expected that Matthew Wilson, the Stobart WRC driver who has completed the majority of the testing with the new car, will drive the Fiesta in Scotland. The Fiesta's first competitive outing is expected to be in January's Monte Carlo Rally – the opening round of next year's Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
The second course car will be driven by five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae. The Scot will take the wheel of the rebuilt Ford Sierra Cosworth in which he finally won the 1988 Scottish Rally. McRae's son Alister will lead the competing cars away, with a decision to reverse the top 10 cars ensuring a Scot is first into the stages. McRae will drive Proton's Satria Neo S2000 in the final round of this year's IRC.
The Rally of Scotland top 10 entries:
1. Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle Peugeot 207 S2000
2. Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh Skoda Fabia S2000
3. Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors Abarth Grande Punto
4. Adam Gould/Sebastian Marshall Peugeot S2000
5. David Bogie/Kevin Rae Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
6. Franz Wittmann/Bernard Ettel Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
7. Jonny Greer/TBA Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
8. Dave Weston/Ieuan Thomas Subaru Impreza WRX
9. Alastair Fisher/Barry McNulty Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
10. Alister McRae/Bill Hayes Proton Satria Neo S2000