​M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 set for Aberystwyth showcase

The M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1. Image: Drew Gibson.

An M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 car will perform demonstration runs through the Aberystwyth street stage of this year’s JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion’s on Saturday evening, September 2.
 
The state-of-the-art car will be on display at the Rali Show and ceremonial start on the town promenade from 6pm on Friday evening with M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson, OBE, also attending the day’s promotional activities.
 
The Aberystwyth street stages, which are sponsored by Cambrian Training Company, Get Jerky and LAS Recycling, run from the end of the promenade, through the town and onto the seafront road.
 
Helping to highlight the event’s commitment to sustainable motorsport, the demonstration is set to mark the first time one of the current generation of hybrid WRC cars, which are powered by 100% fossil free race fuel, is seen in action on an asphalt rally stage in the UK.
 
Driven by former WRC driver Matthew Wilson, the demonstration runs will kick-start Saturday evening’s action ahead of the 112-strong field, with competing cars scheduled to tackle stages seven and eight from 5.30pm.
 
Entry into Friday evening’s Rali Show is free. Discounted online tickets for Saturday evening’s spectator Fan Zones in Aberystwyth are available up to 1pm on Friday, September 1.
 
While visitors are encouraged to purchase in advance, tickets are also available on the day subject to availability. A park-and-ride shuttle service is included in the price.

To purchase tickets and for further details, visit: www.raliceredigion.co.uk/spectators .
 
“I am very excited to be visiting Rali Ceredigion and to see our Puma Hybrid Rally1 take to the streets of Aberystwyth,” said Wilson, M-Sport managing director. “it should be an impressive sight.
 
“The feedback about Rali Ceredigion has been universally positive and it’s fantastic to see an event that is still in its infancy attracting great interest from fans, drivers, and partners.
 
“I’m keen to see first-hand how the event is organised and learn more as a sport as to why this rally is running so well.
 
“I make no secret that it really does frustrate me we don’t have a UK-based WRC event and our fans have had little chance to witness the incredible Hybrid Rally1 cars.
 
“The technology these cars possess and the things they are capable of can only be appreciated by seeing them running in anger, in person.
 
“I’ve always been able to pride M-Sport on supporting young and upcoming talent and while this event isn’t a driver, it’s something I want M-Sport to support early on. I think this event really has the potential be a major fixture on the international rallying calendar, whether that’s in ERC or WRC.
 
“If you’re a rally fan and have missed the sound, smell and magic of a world-class rally car on UK stages, then you cannot afford to miss this opportunity.”
 
Andy Gilmore, Rali Ceredigion clerk of the course, said: “It’s fantastic that M-Sport is supporting Rali Ceredigion and the Puma Rally1 will most certainly provide an exclusive spectacle for fans at the event.
 
“Sustainable motorsport solutions are vital as we move forward and the hybrid car will showcase how exciting these new generation machines really are.”