MOTORSPORT: Young Aussie's World Rally return

After a successful outing with the new M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2 EcoBoost in America recently, Australian Brendan Reeves has been given an opportunity to once again prove his worth on the world rallying stage.

Reeves, who participated in the WRC Academy in 2011 and 2012 in the last-generation Fiesta R2, impressed M-Sport brass by giving the new car a 2WD victory in the New England Forest round of Rally-America; it’s first North American event. He also finished sixth outright against larger capacity, all-wheel drive machinery.

Now, an opportunity has arisen for Reeves to compete in the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy Championship in the upcoming WRC Rally Spain.

Better yet, he has the chance to head into a six-car Fiesta shoot-out, with the winner receiving a one-off WRC2 drive in 2016 aboard a Fiesta R5.

“It’s called the Vatanen touch [after 1981 world champion, Ari Vatanen] and Ari’s involved in who goes through.

“I won’t be registered for championship points – I specifically said I don’t want to ruin anyone’s championship – but qualifying for that shootout is the goal.”

The opportunity of a lifetime comes with some sacrifice, and Reeves – along with co-driving sister Rhiannon Gelsomino, who will sit alongside her younger sibling in Spain – has to raise around $20,000 to ensure his dream can become a reality… and that’s not including a pre-event test, which Reeves suggests will require an additional $10,000.

“We’ve reached out to all the sponsors and contacts we’ve had in the past,” explained Reeves from the Rally Australia service park. “As well as our loyal Brendan Reeves Supporters’ Club members. Through that club we’ve raised just over $5000 to this point, which is awesome, but we’re seeking additional crowd funding and sponsorship,” he continued.

Reeves was at the service park to discuss the deal with Malcolm Wilson, head of M-Sport, who also stipulated a refundable insurance excess of 12,500 pounds, on top of the $20,000 sought.

“I’m already familiar with the car and the DMACK tyres from our work in America, and I did Rally Spain previously in Academy, but I haven’t driven on tarmac much since then. It would be good to have a test beforehand to quickly get up to speed against guys who have spent most of the year in them.”

Should the fund raising prove successful, the Spanish sojourn could prove the final step Reeves needs to finally break through on the European stage.