Hunter swaps new Fiesta for Focus WRC, heads to Ireland

Hugh Hunter has switched to a Ford Focus WRC05 for 2019, and could compete in Ireland regularly for the first time since he won its national championship in 2014.

Hunter did BTRDA and Motorsport UK Asphalt Championship rounds in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC last year, but has bought a WRC05 which has spent most of its life competing on asphalt, in Belgium.

“It’s been scurried away in Malcolm’s [Wilson, M-sport] garage for a few years, I heard about it and we’ve done a deal with them,” said Hunter of his new car. “It’s just being fettled and looked after now.

“I’m not sure on our exact schedule. It’s a flip of the coin between the [Motorsport UK] Asphalt Championship and the Irish National Championship. I’m away for the first round of the Irish. I’m definitely going to the Manx. I’ve told Rob [Fagg, co-driver] it’s Ireland mainly.”

Hunter won the 2014 title in a Subaru Impreza WRC with Harry Marchbank on the notes. The Welshman has fond memories of the time spent there.

“I loved it in 2014 when we went to Ireland, we had our year there and it was fantastic,” he added.

“The car is an old car so I wouldn’t imagine we will be overly competitive against the likes of Declan [Boyle] and Donagh [Kelly] and the Moffetts [brothers Sam and Josh], those boys are on another level really.”

After campaigning his Focus WRC05 for the first time in three years, asphalt regular Damian Cole also looks set to switch from a newer Fiesta to the Focus for the 2019 season.

Both drivers’ cars are run by P&R Benn.