04 May: M-Sport Stages Returns

M-SPORT STAGES SET TO RETURN FOR A SECOND YEAR

Following the success of last year’s event, M-Sport are delighted to announce that the M-Sport Stages is set to make a return to Greystoke forest this summer. Organised in conjunction with the West Cumbria and Eden Valley Motor Clubs, initial plans are already underway with the event scheduled to become a two-day fixture on 3-4 July.
 
The Cumbrian-based rally will also act as an opportunity for M-Sport to showcase their new state-of-the-art facility – the M-Sport Evaluation Centre. Nearing completion, the multi-million-pound development offers a unique centre of engineering excellence where leaders in automotive technology can follow a concept from design to production on one exclusively-situated site.
 
The 10,723 m2 workshop sits alongside a 2.5 km test track, and those competing on the M-Sport Stages will be amongst the first to see the new facility up close – with a special, Covid-safe event hosted by M-Sport Managing Director Malcolm Wilson OBE built into the schedule.
 
The event will once again be limited to Ford machinery, but M-Sport are also encouraging historic Fords to join the field – meaning we could well see a Ford Escort MkI compete alongside the latest-generation world rally car in one of the UK’s largest gatherings of Ford rally cars.
 
The entry will also be open to all levels of competition and M-Sport are keen to showcase as many levels of their Ladder of Opportunity from across as many different eras as possible – showcasing Ford’s long-standing commitment to the support of drivers from grass-root to top-level rallying.
 
While planning continues, the event is expected to run 10 timed stages across approximately 58 competitive stage miles – all within the confines of Greystoke forest. Saturday’s action is expected to include six stages split by a midday service, while Sunday consists of four final stages ahead of a ceremonial finish.
 
The M-Sport Stages will also continue to promote the latest in Covid-safe protocols with the electronic management of information and documentation, socially distanced time controls and the safe recovery of vehicles and crews – all of which have been successfully adapted since first introduced at last year’s M-Sport Return to Rally Stages.
 
Further information regarding regulations and announcements will be issued on the M-Sport website and across the team’s social media platforms in the coming weeks.

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
 
“After such a fantastic event last year we were really keen to repeat the M-Sport Stages, and I must again praise the efforts of the West Cumbria and Eden Valley Motor Clubs. Without their dedication and experience it simply wouldn’t be possible, and we’re looking forward to building on the success of last year’s event.
 
“A real highlight for me was seeing so many M-Sport Ford cars together in one place, and we’d really like to make a feature of that this year – showcasing the commitment that M-Sport and Ford have put into all levels of rallying over the years.
 
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the new Evaluation Centre, something that myself and all of the staff here at M-Sport are immensely proud of. It’s taken a long time to get here, but work is almost complete and it feels only right that the first people to see it are those who compete behind the wheel of one of our cars.”

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