Ford Fiesta R1 tackles Goodwood’s forest stage

RSL Staff

– July 6, 2012Posted in: News

M-Sport’s latest generation rally car, the Ford Fiesta R1, was at Goodwood’s legendary Festival of Speed last weekend in the hands of one of Finland’s most promising young talents: Jussi Kumpumäki.

Echoing the festival’s ‘Young Guns’ theme, the 2010 Fiesta SportTrophy Finland Champion tackled the famous Forest Rally Stage as designed with expert input from 1983 World Rally Champion and fellow Finn, Hannu Mikkola.

Aimed at those just starting out on their rallying career, the Fiesta R1 assumes the first step on Ford’s ‘Ladder of Opportunity’, allowing competitors to graduate, with Ford, from national level right through to the top echelons of the WRC.

Incorporating an impressive pedigree, the Fiesta R1 was developed with all the same expertise as launched M-Sport’s first global rally cars – the record-breaking Ford Fiesta R2 and S2000. Building on these previous successes, the basic R1 conversion kit offers all the same personal safety and underbody protection as its R2 counterpart, but with standard engine and transmission components to comply with International R1 regulations.

Various MS1 kits are available to further enhance the basic R1 kit, providing competitors with the option of upgrading their Fiesta, piece by piece, as local regulations allow, and encouraging the addition of performance enhancements so as to eventually graduate to the Fiesta R2.

Usually competing behind the wheel of his Junior Team Finland Ford Fiesta R2 in the British Rally Championship, Kumpumäki took to the wheel of the Fiesta R1, demonstrating the model’s speed, reliability and enjoyment to drive alongside some of the rallying world’s most famous names.

Jussi Kumpumäki said:

“We had an excellent weekend at Goodwood. The atmosphere was brilliant and it really was amazing to see so much motorsport history in one place at one time!

“Obviously I am used to driving the [Ford Fiesta] R2, but I have to say I was very surprised by just how good the [Fiesta] R1 is. It was surprisingly easy to drive and handles really well. The brakes and suspension are excellent for an R1 car and I was blown away by just how competitive the car is.”

For more information on the Fiesta R1, visit www.FiestaR1.com