Dovenby's M-Sport rally team took a trip across the Atlantic for Rally America’s New England Forest Rally.

As one of the UK’s leading motorsport organisations, M-Sport introduced two new cars to the American market – the new Ford Fiesta R5 2000cc and the new Ford Fiesta R2 1000cc.

Encouraged by global superstar Ken Block, the idea behind the event was to bring new opportunities to the Rally America scene with two competitively priced competition cars capable of taking the spoils.

Boston driver Ramana Lagemann and Canadian Nathalie Richard took to the wheel of the new Fiesta R5 2Ltr, while Australian Brendan Reeves – 2013 Rally America 2WD champion – got his hands on the new one-litre Fiesta R2 alongside co-driver Anthony McLoughlin.

Reeves dominated the 2WD category, claiming a commanding victory with more than a 13-minute advantage over his nearest rival. The Australian also finished the event in an impressive sixth place overall – beating all but one of the Super Production entrants.

In the Fiesta R5 2Ltr, a simple pacenote error cost the team any hope of a podium when an unsighted rock on the opening speed test damaged the suspension.

Lagemann was back in action on Saturday and quickly started to achieve his objectives. Improving with each new stage, Lage-mann climbed back up to eighth place overall.

Malcolm Wilson, M-Sport managing director, said: “I’m delighted with the pace of both cars on what were some very fast stages. Brendan was sensational, and he has proven that the new Fiesta R2 has the potential to compete with the Super Production cars as well as out-performing its class rivals.

“Ramana was unlucky on the first stage, but he came back strongly and showed that it is possible to fight for the podium with what is a very affordable car by comparison.”