Ford Gets Fiesta RS WRC Back on the Road

Ford did not alter its testing programme ahead of the 2011 World Rally Championship too much – considering Jari-Matti Latvala's crashing the test Ford Fiesta RS WRC the other week – as the mechanics over at M-Sport managed to eventually repair the car and get it back into driving form first thing on Monday.

Latvala had crashed the Fiesta RS WRC last week, while doing a test run in Sweden. It was supposed to be a multiple-day test for the two Ford drivers (Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen) before Ford would sign it up for this week's Arctic Rally. However, due to Latvala's shunt, the team was “trapped” in Sweden and put to work, in order to get the car back on its 4 wheels.

Hirvonen eventually got his turn at the wheel of the new Fiesta WRC on Monday afternoon, when the M-Sport guys managed to finish work, and continued to test drive the car until Thursday. The last day of testing belonged to Latvala, who didn't miss out on much running time eventually. This was the last test undergone by Ford prior to the season opening Rally Sweden, scheduled next month.

“Mikko's testing has gone well. We're pleased with the work we've got done. Obviously, the accident wasn't ideal, but the team has really worked well to get the car running again so quickly,” said Ford's Mark Wilford after this week's test, according to Autosport.

“The car needed some panels, but the engine and cage were undamaged meaning we could be back on track very quickly. We've got through a lot of work with this new car, in some very good conditions.”