Brendan relishes return to US rally scene

After two solid days of testing the new M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2, Brendan Reeves and Anthony McLoughlin are ready to put the car through its paces in the New England Forest Rally (NEFR) which kicks off on Friday, July 17 at Sunday River in the north eastern US state.

Brendan has had great success in the US - taking five class wins from five starts in 2013 - and he is hoping to continue his winning streak this weekend. It won’t be an easy task, though, with a new car, a new co-driver and a strong field of competitors to contend with.

The NEFR, a round of the US National rally championship, will consist of 13 special stages with a total stage length of about 120 miles, and will be contested over two days, Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18.

Reeves and McLoughlin are driving for M-Sport, the UK-based team that prepares Ford’s World Rally Championship cars, who have teamed with Ken Block’s Hoonigan Racing and Team O’Neil to debut the new Ford Fiestas at the NEFR. Brendan will drive the R2 Fiesta whilst team mates Ramana Lagermann and Nathalie Richard will pilot the R5. The team is also being supported by DMack Tyres.

“The testing has been awesome,” Brendan said. “I did a lot of kilometres and took many guest rides.

“I'm absolutely loving being back in Rally America and M-Sport are a dream to work with.”

Brendan and Anthony will do their reconnaissance of the event on Thursday before the rally starts on Friday morning.

 

See photos from the New England Forest Rally here