M-Sport Tests New Rally2 WRC Conversion Kit on Ford Fiesta

WRC Transition and M-Sport Ford Conversion Kit Testing

The World Rally Championship is changing its premier class under upcoming technical regulations, bringing new development into the spotlight. “M-Sport” has emerged as the sole team to announce the creation of a conversion kit for its Ford Fiesta Rally2. The team tested the new setup in October across Great Britain and Spain, utilizing a special International Automobile Federation authorization to run the upgraded car during live competition.

Under the updated technical framework, cars compliant with the new WRC27 technical regulations will compete alongside Rally2 vehicles outfitted with a specific Rally2-WRC-Kit conversion package. The governing body developed this conversion setup to ease the transition for manufacturers, improving vehicle aerodynamics and overall performance. Cars equipped with the kit are cleared to race in the 2027 and 2028 seasons, with each homologated manufacturer required to field at least two cars per WRC round.

Matthew Wilson and Josh McErlean Test Upgraded Vehicle

During the evaluation sessions, Matthew Wilson, son of “M-Sport” founder Malcolm Wilson, handled testing duties behind the wheel of the upgraded vehicle. M-Sport subsequently entered driver Josh McErlean into competition to prepare for the regulatory shift. McErlean is set to compete alongside European Rally Championship participants without fighting for overall rally championship standings.

The final round of the European Rally Championship season, Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal, attracted 31 Rally2 entries with 44 drivers hunting for series points. Across all participating categories including the Portuguese Rally Championship, 64 crews are slated to start the event, featuring Mārtiņš Sesks and Renārs Francis.

Josh McErlean Seeks to Remain with M-Sport Squad

McErlean stated in an interview that he wants to remain with the M-Sport squad next season, though a finalized agreement depends on backing from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. The driver expressed confidence in the development potential of the Ford Fiesta and voiced a desire to stay involved as Ford targets a factory team return to the WRC by 2028. McErlean wrapped up the 2026 WRC season ninth overall in the standings, securing sixth-place finishes at both the Greece and Paraguay rallies.

Development activity varies across the service park as other manufacturers prepare for the rules transition. Toyota is actively designing a car compliant with the WRC27 technical regulations, while Hyundai has not yet disclosed its competitive plans for the upcoming championship. New teams Project Rally One and RMC Motorsport have confirmed plans to build vehicles for the new category.