The Fiesta had been launched in 1976 at a time when Ford’s competition efforts had been focused on the Escort. However, by 1979 all that had changed and Ford wanted a competition programme for the Fiesta. Concurrently 1979 BSCC Champion Richard Longman realised he needed to field a different car as his all conquering Mini was going to be rendered uncompetitive by new weight limits so Ford engaged Longman's team to develop the Fiesta. Longman raced a US spec 1.6-litre and Alan Curnow the 1.3-litre modelled here.
Curnow won his class in seven of the ten races, taking the Class title with ease and finishing second overall.