INTRODUCTION FROM MALCOLM WILSON OBE, M-SPORT MANAGING DIRECTOR

Well, the mid-season break is finally upon us and now it's time to reflect on the first half of the year.

2011 got off to a dream start for M-Sport - our new car, the Ford Fiesta RS WRC, had a podium clean sweep at the WRC season-opener in Sweden. Since then, we've had six consecutive podium spots and some of the closest finishes in world rallying including Jari-Matti missing out on a victory in Jordan by an incredible 0.2 seconds. We've been extremely happy with the pace of our new car and such small time differences has helped prove just how exciting the new cars and regulations have made the WRC.

It was a tough weekend in Greece and I'm a little disappointed that we didn't finish the first half of the season with a victory - we've won there seven times in the last 10 rallies but unfortunately we couldn't improve our great record this year. Both drivers performed well - Mikko drove a calculated rally but lost out by a small margin on the final day. Jari-Matti was unlucky and it is a shame as he was in a perfect position to challenge for the victory. Now we must focus on the second part of the season and pursue victories more aggressively - both championships are still open so there's everything to play for.

Meanwhile, we have a few exciting projects happening at our Dovenby Hall headquarters. Our new solar energy project is well underway and is a landmark for our local region. As a company, M-Sport is delighted to be able to push forward in pioneering clean, green energy within our sector. It has been an exciting project for us and very much in keeping with our goal of using the latest technology to drive success both within motorsport and in other areas of our business. The scheme is due to be up-and-running by the start of August.

Next week also marks the official launch of National Motorsport Week, an initiative led by the MSA and the MIA. As an MIA board member myself, M-Sport have been keen to get involved so we've arranged an open day at Dovenby Hall on Monday. There are more than 50 activites happening up and down the country next week so we're delighted to be one of the companies involved.

I will be there to meet everybody personally on Monday and there's going to be tours round the workshop, competitions, special discounts at our shop and lots more. We're really looking forward to meeting everyone and it'll be a great opportunity to give something back to our fans who loyally support us each year after year.

I wish you all a very enjoyable summer and would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your continued support throughout the first half of the season.

Malcolm

STOBART'S SOLBERG RETURNS TO WRC WITH STERLING PERFORMANCE

Henning Solberg showed a return to form for the M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team with his fifth place finish at the Acropolis Rally of Greece. Team-mate Matthew Wilson finished one place behind Solberg piloting the team’s other Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

To read the full report please click here

Follow M-Sport Stobart on Facebook here

ACTION-PACKED S-WRC SEES FORD FIESTA S2000 SECURE TWO PODIUM SPOTS

Last weekend’s Acropolis Rally of Greece saw two Ford Fiesta S2000 crews on the podium in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (S-WRC) with Bernardo Sousa finishing second and Frigyes Turán securing third.

For the full report please click here

Follow the Fiesta S2000 on Facebook here

FISHER FLIES TO SECOND ON THE DONEGAL INTERNATIONAL RALLY IN FORD FIESTA S2000

Alastair Fisher underlined his versatility and talent behind the wheel of a rally car when he claimed second overall and first in class on his Super 2000 debut on the Topaz Donegal International Rally, which is regarded as one of the toughest Tarmac rallies in the world.

Please click here to read the full report

M-SPORT SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT GETS UNDERWAY

Earlier this month, M-Sport was granted planning permission to enable work to begin on Cumbria’s largest solar energy plant on the roof of their state-of-the-art workshop at Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth.

The project has both economic and financial benefits for M-Sport - it reduces the company’s carbon footprint and contributes to the Government target of achieving 15% of total energy in UK derived from renewable resources by 2020. The project will also benefit M-Sport financially, saving the company approximately 10% from its energy bills per annum.

The plant is expected to be up and running by the start of August.

FANS PICK FORD FIESTA RS WRC ROOF DESIGN

For the up-and-coming Neste Oil Rally Finland, rally fans will be able to vote on the Ford WRC Facebook page for their favourite roof design for each of the Ford Abu Dhabi drivers.

Each driver has three designs they have selected under the theme of 'The Food That Fuels You', and now it's the fans' turn to select one roof design for each driver.

This online feature will form part of an increasing level for fan involvement in the Ford Abu Dhabi Team, with more roof themes and designs to follow and a future opportunity for fans to design their own roof and let the drivers select the one they want.

The competition closes at the end of June so get your votes in quickly!

To enter the competition please click here