M-Sport Ford is set to develop a Rally2-WRC Kit for its Fiesta Rally2, taking advantage of the FIA’s newly approved regulations that will allow upgraded Rally2 cars to compete in the World Rally Championship’s top category from 2027.
The British team is expected to use the new homologation pathway introduced by the FIA as part of the WRC27 regulations, which aim to increase the number of competitive cars in the championship’s premier class. Under the new framework, Rally2 cars homologated before the end of 2026 can be fitted with a dedicated aerodynamic package and compete alongside the next-generation WRC27 cars during the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
M-Sport’s decision comes as uncertainty remains over the number of manufacturers that will launch all-new WRC27 cars for the start of the new era. While Toyota has already committed to developing a dedicated WRC27 challenger, M-Sport appears poised to rely on its extensively updated Fiesta Rally2 as an interim solution.
The FIA’s Rally2-WRC Kit has been designed to bring Rally2 machinery closer to the performance and aerodynamic characteristics of the new-generation cars. The package will include revised front fenders, a new front bumper and a rear aerodynamic device, with costs capped at €7,500. Rally2-WRC Kit cars will also run at a minimum weight of 1,220kg.
For M-Sport, the new regulations provide a cost-effective route to remain competitive at the highest level of the championship while evaluating its longer-term plans for the WRC27 era. The team has previously indicated that building an entirely new car remains the preferred option, but the Rally2-based route offers an immediate and practical solution for 2027.
With the FIA targeting larger fields and stronger competition in the championship’s top category, M-Sport’s Fiesta Rally2 is expected to become one of the first cars adapted to the new Rally2-WRC specification, ensuring the team remains a key player during the transition to the WRC’s next generation.
Source: DirtFish.com
Photo Credits: M-Sport
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