Ford commits to world rally series
Long term decision says Ford -- unlike F1, then...
Stung no doubt by the bitter criticism that resulted from Ford's short-termist decision to pull the plug on Jaguar's F1 team, Ford Europe has announced a major commitment to the World Rally Championship. It's signed a four-year agreement with Malcolm Wilson's British-based M-Sport company, which has operated Ford's WRC programme for the past eight years.
The commitment ensures Ford's continuing presence at the top level of world rallying with the highly successful Focus -- the existing Focus RS WRC will be the company's challenger in the 2005 championship. An all-new Focus RS WRC rally car, based on the new road car (bottom right) which goes on sale in Europe later this month, will be introduced from 2006 onwards.
"We have carried out a long and comprehensive review of the motorsport scene and Ford's involvement in it," said Booth. "As part of our review we have developed a motorsport strategy which builds on our rallying heritage and is integrated into our core business.
"I'm delighted to announce that the headline news in that strategy is that Ford will enter into a long-term commitment to the World Rally Championship. We have further strengthened our long-running partnership with Malcolm Wilson's M-Sport company.”
New Ford Focus RS WRC
The new generation Focus will continue a family tradition that has seen the model provide the backbone of Ford's motorsport activity since 1999. With the launch of the new generation Ford Focus well underway, Ford reckons it provides a strong new base for rally activities in 2006.
"Ford's long-term commitment to the WRC will provide a great boost to the sport," said Jost Capito, Director of Ford Team RS. "Ford has been involved in rallying since before the World Rally Championship was conceived. Our continuation in WRC is excellent news for the championship and emphasises just how much the sport has developed in recent years.
"Our review showed there is a strong business case for Ford's continued involvement. The proposals from the FIA to reduce the costs of competing in the WRC, via revisions to the regulations, convinced us to continue long term. While the exact nature of those revisions has still to be finalised, I welcome these moves. We at Ford look forward to working with the FIA and the other manufacturers to make the sport as cost-effective as possible.
"Since 1997, we have worked closely with M-Sport to develop a world class rally team operating from world class facilities at Malcolm Wilson's Dovenby Hall premises. We believe that the infrastructure is now in place for us to move forward and build a team capable of bringing world titles to Ford," he added.
Strengthened partnership with M-Sport
Ford of Europe's four-year commitment strengthens considerably its partnership with M-Sport. Malcolm Wilson said: "This agreement is wonderful news for both Ford and M-Sport and is the culmination of much effort over the past few months by many people from our respective organisations. I would like to thank Ford for the confidence it has shown in M-Sport by extending our partnership for the next four years. I also wish to express my gratitude to my team at Dovenby Hall, which has put such huge effort and enthusiasm into the programme for the past eight seasons.
"A four-year programme allows us the opportunity to develop the new Ford Focus into a challenger for WRC success. Development of the new car will begin immediately and will run alongside our existing WRC commitments throughout the 2005 season. We have 14 months from now until the opening round of the 2006 season so the timescale is set for us to work to.
"We have the strongest structure in place at Dovenby Hall, both in terms of experienced personnel and facilities, since M-Sport took over responsibility for the programme at the end of 1996. That will be used to design what I am sure will be a winning car for 2006 onwards, while continuing to maintain the high standards we have set with the current Focus RS WRC during 2004," he added.
World motorsport without Ford would somehow be incomplete.
Childhood memories are of watching Mikkola, Blomqvist, Clark, Makkinen (Timo, not Tommi) et al in RS1600 & RS1800 in the Forest of Dean when the RAC Rally was a real 5 day test. Great drivers in cars that looked very similar to my father's Daytona yellow Escort 1300L (NHT833L - if it's still out there!).
Rallying seems more appropriate to Ford than open-wheeled racing, having at least outwardly a shape that bears a resemblance to the cars that spectators arrive in.
"Race on Sunday, sell on Monday" was an adage of Henry Ford II - lets hope it bears fruit this time around, and that some of the rally technology quickly permeates to some serious sporting derivatives of the Ford range.
Lets hope they dont balls it up with Focus Mk2!
I wonder who is going to drive for them next year? i understand Duval was allowed to seek a new contract elsewhere as Malcom couldnt guarantee a drive for him next year but as thats not now the case will he stay?
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