M-Sport Stages Set To Return

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.