Marcus Grönholm, Finland, will race in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb this year. He will drive a rallycross Ford Fiesta of a Swedish team.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2009-05-27-2908806792_x.htm

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (AP) — The Sweden-based Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution team will introduce Fiesta Rallycross cars to the United States for the first time in July when they launch their bid to break the 10-minute mark at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Four-time Swedish rally champion and team manager Andreas Eriksson, 35, will race one Fiesta in the unlimited class and Marcus Gronholm the other. Gronholm, 41, is one of world rallying's most accomplished drivers, with two World Championships and 30 WRC victories.

<snip>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Grönholm

See team press release at:

http://www.olsbergs.se/web/Olsbergs_pressrelease_1.aspx

and photos of the car also there.

Ford press release:

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=30429

The Olsbergs MSE Fiesta Rallycross car is based on both the Fiesta hatchback model road cars. The all-wheel-drive Fiestas are powered by a 2.0-liter Duratec Ford engine capable of more than 800 horsepower.

Pikes Peak Hill Climb press release:

http://www.ppihc.com/ppihcftp/2009/press_releases/Fiesta.pdf

Awesome, I was there for Stig Blomqvist run in a Ford RS 200. But it stormed and they only ran to the water station so no record.

I hope some television channel will show the race here in Finland.

I have seen only old footage. Like when Ari Vatanen won. I have seen that run.



Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ari_Vatanen ) says that car had at least 600 horsepower.

Climb Dance http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3368948773832597270

That Ari Vatanen footage is crazy. A true legend racer.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76627

Gronholm set for Pikes Peak debut
By David Evans Tuesday, June 30th 2009, 10:58 GMT

Double World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm has tested the Ford Fiesta he will drive at the Pikes Peak hillclimb in America next month.

The Finn drove the car, run by the Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution team, for two days in Sweden, completing the test last night.

<snip>

"The car was quite good," said Gronholm. "We have lots of power. It's 800 horse power, which is very nice! But it's not easy to get all of that power down, at the moment, it's a bit like a switch, so we have some more work to do.

"I wouldn't say I feel confident now. I feel better having driven the car, so I know more about what it's going to be like in the car, but the place we tested was not so much like Pikes Peak - it was Sweden. So, we have to wait until we get to America for the next test. Let's see then."

<snip>

anzie - 29 May 2009 01:24 PM

I hope some television channel will show the race here in Finland.

I hope someone will show it here in the states.... But, I will be on the mountain in any case. Maybe the 10 minute barrier gets beat this year.

In looking for info on Possible TV Coverage (which I could not find) I viewed a couple extra videos along with interviews in regards to these new Fords.

Maybe Ford will be putting together some video for the release of their new rally car? Wonder why they thought this was a good idea, with the event having no TV Deal. (even e-mailed the race director yesterday, with no response. although hopefully, he is a little busy atm. it was the onlky e-mail on the site...)

1. Anyone else think they need about double (or more) wing. The 2007 record setting 1000 HP Suzuki has triple the wing these rally cars do?

2. Neither of these drivers have been up Pikes Peak, nor tested the car more than a little around Norway before having to ship them.

That said, I say 10:45.00 plus for these guys...