MacCrone links with Castrol and M-Sportposted in RSCOT20 | 03 | 2014
SCOT JOHN MacCRONE has forged a new partnership with Castrol and M-Sport which will see him drive a Ford Fiesta R200 in seven rallies through 2014.
MacCrone, the 24-year-old originally from the Isle of Mull, will drive the car for the first time at this weekend's Jedburgh-based Border Counties Rally, the second round of the ARR Craib Scottish Rally Championship.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to work with two of the major names in motorsport, Castrol and M-Sport," admitted MacCrone, who powered a Ford Fiesta S2400, prepared by Cockermouth-based M-Sport, to victory in last year's Tunnock's Mull Rally.
For the talented young Scot, who will be co-driven by Uddingston's Stuart Loudon this weekend, it's also another outing in a Ford.
"I drove a Ford Fiesta R2 in the World Rally Championship Academy in 2012, and then drove the four-wheel drive S2400 on Mull last year, so I know my way around Ford rally cars," MacCrone continued.
Related: John MacCrone wins Tunnock's Mull Rally
"The R200 is a similar car to the two-wheel drive R2, but with a number of important power and technical updates.
"It's going to be exciting to work with the team from M-Sport in helping to develop the car, which they see as an important clubman car for 2014 and '15."
The Scot's views were backed by Andrew Wheatley, M-Sport's business development manager.
"It's going to be good to see the Ford Fiesta R200 in action, both on gravel and Tarmac, this year," Wheatley said. "We know exactly what John is capable of, and we're very happy that we have been able to help him secure this great opportunity.
"From our perspective, the Fiesta R200 is an excellent car for the clubman rally driver, and getting it out into the stages will definitely help raise its profile."
MacCrone's new car (pictured), which will be fitted with Pirelli tyres and will run in the famous Castrol colours, will be prepared by Carlisle-based CA1 Sport.
The new initiative also forms part of Castrol's commitment to support motorsport in the UK.
"We feel it's important to support young British motorsport talent," Castrol's global marketing manager, Donald Smith, said, "and to be able to put John in our car is a real boost for all the parties involved."
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Jim McGill