Ford Fie-Xsta

By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

Went to Southern California’s El Toro military base today to check out the three-car Fiesta effort that Ford is hucking into this year’s X Games Rally. Normally this event is a Subaru-only affair with a light dusting of Mitsu Evo for good measure. Ford hopes to change things up at this annual super special that historically features an all-STI podium. Ford’s blend of Fiesta Rallycross cars and drivers could do the trick. Hit the jump to see a video of Tanner Foust’s car in action as well as some pics of the other drivers going for X glory.

Check out this clip of Tanner going for it in testing. We’ll have full video coverage of the X Games Rally Racing Super Special as well as a complete feature on this car on StreetFire.net soon enough. For now, the teaser will have to tide you over.

Tanner won X Games Gold in 2007 and narrowly missed repeating last year having to settle for Silver against Mr. X Games, Travis Pastrana. I wonder, will the Rallycross Fiesta will be able to deliver him back on the top spot of the podium?

Tanner’s 5-door actually made it’s North American debut at this year’s Pike’s Peak hill climb in the legendary hands of Marcus Grönholm. It would seem budget cuts precluded Tanner from getting a vinyl scheme of his very own.

Here’s what Tanner’s car looked like before the ROCKSTAR Energy wrap. But Tanner isn’t driving this particular Fiesta.

Kenny Brack is driving this Olsbergs Motor Sports Evolution three-door hatch. The Swedish driver hopes to become the first ever Indianapolis 500 winner to also take home an X Games medal.

I believe the engine is a “standard” 300-hp Duratec four mounted in a longitudinal configuration. I’ll get more from Ford and Olsbergs Motor Sports during our interviews with them this week.

Brian Deegan is the third member of the Fiesta Three and he follows in an ever-growing line of freestyle MX riders who allow that with age comes a cage. The Metal Mullisha hero has won ten X medals in his career and he is no stranger to rolling dirty on four wheels as he runs a short-course off road truck. Stay logged on for more from the X Games.