New Ford Fiesta to Make U.S. Motorsport Debut at Pike's Peak with Marcus Gronholm at the Helm

There are plenty of ways to market a car. One way is to hand 100 Fiestas to specially selected social active people like 'oh my gosh my car was stolen, no its in the impound lot' Bronstein that ridicule themselves as well as Ford. Another road to publicity is to bring a couple of rally-bred Fiesta models over from Europe and race them at the annual Pike's Peak International Hill Climb that takes place in Colorado on July 19. Apparently we prefer the second solution. The two Fiestas Rallycross models that will race at the famous mountain peak that towers above Colorado Springs in the Rocky Mountains have been prepared by the Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution team from Sweden.

The two Fiestas will be driven by two times WRC champ and rally legend Marcus Gronholm, 41, in the 'Unlimited Class' and Andreas Eriksson, 35, a four-time Swedish rally champion. Ford said that the team will attempt to break the 10-minute mark over the 12.4-mile, 156-turn pavement and gravel course.

Ford Motor Company's director of Global Motorsport Business Development, Jost Capito, said: "The Pike's Peak event is another step forward for the new Ford Fiesta as a core vehicle in Ford's future global motorsport aspirations. We're looking forward to seeing Andreas and Marcus in action on this unique event."

The Olsbergs MSE Fiesta Rallycross car is based on the Fiesta hatchback model road cars. However, it comes with an advanced all-wheel-drive system and a 2.0-liter Duratec Ford engine that is capable of producing more than 800 horsepower.

Ford said that while its North American Racing unit will not be directly involved in the project, it will assist the Olsbergs team with logistical support while it is in America.