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11-11-2010
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Ford bids farewell to record-breaking Focus RS
World Rally Car.
Ford's world rally drivers from the last 12 years said an emotional
farewell to the record-breaking Focus RS World Rally Car at a historic
celebration event in Wales today (Thursday).
After 173 event starts, the Focus makes its final appearance as Ford's
team entry in the FIA World Rally Championship at Rally GB this weekend.
A new formula will be introduced into the WRC in 2011 and the Focus will
be replaced by the all-new Fiesta RS WRC for next season.
Ford Focus WRC 2000
World champions Marcus Grönholm, Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen
headlined a long list of drivers and co-drivers attending the special
function at Cardiff's Millennium Centre this morning. The trio claimed
back-to-back manufacturers' world titles for Ford in 2006 and 2007 in
Focus RS WRCs. Timo Rautiainen, the fourth member of the winning quartet,
was unable to attend.
Ford Focus WRC 2001
Grönholm won 12 world rallies in the Focus while Hirvonen and co-driver
Lehtinen also have 12 wins to their credit, and are intent on ending the
car's career on a high note in the 13th and final round of the 2010
season this weekend.
Other winning Ford Focus RS WRC drivers and co-drivers attending in
Cardiff were Nicky Grist (nine wins with the late Colin McRae), Markko
Märtin (five wins), Jari-Matti Latvala (four wins), Miikka Anttila (four
wins) and Luis Moya (two wins). Colin McRae was represented by his
father, Jimmy.
Ford Focus WRC 2002
The Focus made its debut in the 1999 Monte Carlo Rally. Since then
M-Sport, Ford of Europe's rally partner, has built 97 different cars for
testing and competition in the WRC.
It has won on 44 occasions, finished second in 43 rallies and taken
third in 55 events. The car has scored points on a remarkable 131
consecutive world rallies, a record unmatched in WRC history and one
which dates back to the first round of the 2002 season.
Ford Focus WRC 2003
The Focus RS WRC which McRae and Grist drove to victory on only its
third appearance in Kenya's Safari Rally in 1999 was on display at the
Cardiff event. This historic car is still owned by M-Sport and is
usually on display at the company's Dovenby Hall base in north-west
England.
Ford Focus WRC 2003
"The Ford Focus RS WRC will be remembered as one of the sport's great
rally cars," said Ian Slater, Ford of Europe's Vice-President of
Communications and Public Affairs. "It was unveiled at the Paris Motor
Show in 1998, exactly at the same time as the Focus road car was
launched. The successes of the road and rally models have run in
parallel since then.
Ford Focus WRC 2004
"The affection in which the car is held can be seen today. Drivers and
co-drivers have travelled from as far away as the Caribbean to be here,
and another even cancelled his holiday to be present! It's unusual to
reminisce with such emotion about a car, but we've heard many, many
people fondly relating their own favourite memories and stories about
the Focus RS WRC at this morning's event.
Ford Focus WRC 2005
"When the car starts Rally GB tonight, it will be strange to think that
it's the final time we'll see an official factory team Focus in action
on a WRC rally. Victory on its final outing would be the perfect way to
bring the curtain down on a great career, and both Mikko Hirvonen and
Jari-Matti Latvala are targeting nothing less," said Slater.
Ford Focus WRC 2006
M-Sport managing director and BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team
director Malcolm Wilson has overseen the build of every Focus rally car.
"I have some wonderful recollections of the car from the past 12 seasons.
The first win in Kenya was special, because the Safari Rally was the
toughest in the championship and the Focus was still so new," he said.
Bron | M-Sport
Ford Focus WRC 2007
Ford Focus WRC
2008 Ford Focus WRC 2009 Ford Focus WRC 2009
Ford Focus WRC 2010
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