TheFord Focus RS WRCis a car built for theFord World Rally TeambyFord EuropeandM-Sportand based on theFord FocusClimate 2-litre productionhatchback,developed to compete in theWorld Rally Championship.TheRSstands forRallye Sportand the WRC forWorld Rally Car,the car's FIA specification. The Focus RS WRC was in competition from 1999 to 2010, winning 44 world rallies and two manufacturers' world titles (2006and2007). It was replaced by theFord Fiesta RS WRC.
 Jari-Matti Latvala,winner of the2010 Rally Finland,driving a Ford Focus RS WRC 09 inMuurame, Finland. | |||||||||
| Category | World Rally Car | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Ford | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Ford Escort WRC | ||||||||
| Successor | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Tyres | Michelin | ||||||||
| Competition history (WRC) | |||||||||
| Notable entrants |  Ford | ||||||||
| Debut |  1999 Monte Carlo Rally | ||||||||
| First win |  1999 Safari Rally | ||||||||
| Last win |  2010 Rally Finland | ||||||||
| Last event | 2010 Wales Rally GB | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 2 (2006,2007) | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
Like all contemporary World Rally Cars, the car is heavily modified from the production version, with which it shares only the basic shape and some parts of the bodyshell. The car featuresfour-wheel drive,rather than thefront-wheel driveof the road car. The engine used in the 2007 Focus WRC is based on Ford's 2.0 LitreDuratecfrom other models in the Focus range as rallying rules do not permit the standard 2.5-litre engine of the Focus ST or road going RS. As with most rally cars, the 2.0-litre engine is heavily modified and performance was increased using aturbocharger.The 2009 Ford Focus RS WRC uses a Ford 1998cc Pipo builtI4Duratec WRC engine (four cylinders, 16 valves, bore 85 mm and stroke 88 mm), Pi electronic engine management system,Garrettturbocharger (with required 34 mm inlet restrictor), air intercooler, and a catalytic converter.
The car's transmission is a permanent four-wheel drive with anM-Sportdesigned active centre differential, Pi electronic differential control units, M-Sport/Ricardo five-speed sequential gearbox with electro-hydraulically controlled shift and an M-Sport/Sachs multi-disc carbon clutch.[1]
History
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The first version of the car was built in 1999 to replace theFord Escort WRC.It debuted in theMonte Carlo RallywithColin McRaeandSimon Jean-Josephbehind the wheels of the two cars. It was immediately on the pace, setting many fastest stage times, but the use of an illegal water pump meant that the two cars were excluded from the event. McRae gave the Focus its first win two events later on theSafari Rally Kenyafinishing over 15 minutes ahead of the second placedToyotaofDidier Auriol.Despite coming close on several occasions, the car never won either the drivers or manufacturers title. This included McRae losing the2001title by 2 points after crashing out of the final round.
In2003,Ford released a newly designed Focus RS WRC, named Focus RS WRC 03, for competition during the second part of the season. The car, with most parts redesigned from the ground up, featured a lighter body shell and a new aerodynamically enhanced front bumper and wing.Markko Märtindrove the car to two world rally victories. The 2004 and 2005 Focus RS WRCs were evolutions based on the RS WRC 03. The Focus RS WRC 04 won three events with Märtin at the wheel. By 2005, the car was no longer very competitive and Ford had a winless season.
From the last rally of the2005 season,Ford campaigned a brand new model, the Focus RS WRC 06, following the launch of the new road-going version of the car. The engine chosen for this Focus was a Duratec motor developed by the French engine specialist Pipo Moteur.[2]In the hands ofMarcus GrönholmandMikko Hirvonen,the car took eight world rally wins in the2006 season,winning the first manufacturers' championship for Ford since1979.
The Focus RS WRC 07 is based on the 2006 model, and according to Ford's technical director Christian Loriaux "the changes on the new car are mainly to save weight and to improve efficiency, driveability and performance at the bottom end of the range."[3]The car debuted very successfully at the2007 Rally Finlandas Ford's Finns Grönholm andMikko Hirvonenfinished in first and second. Ford successfully defended the manufacturers' championship in2007.The car later made history at the2008 Swedish RallywhenJari-Matti Latvalaused it to become the youngest-ever driver to win a world rally.
The Focus RS WRC 08 is based on the 2007 model. The Focus WRC 08 was in competition for the first time with its new front aero design at the2008 Rallye Deutschland.The 2008 version of the Focus RS WRC includes design style changes as well as engine improvements. Style changes to the grill area reflect the looks of the recently previewedFocus RS Mk IIroad sport car. The 2008 RS WRC was driven to its only victory at the2008 Rally Japan.
The 2009 version of the Focus RS WRC debuted at the2009 Rally d'Italia Sardegna,leading Ford to a 1-2. It includes small design style changes. Style changes were made to the lights frame and rear bumper to bring the look closer to the Focus RS Mk II 2009 road sport car. The 2009 Focus RS WRC remained the last of Ford's WRC cars based on the Focus. It was replaced by theFord Fiesta RS WRCafter the2010 season.
The Ford Focus RS WRC appeared in 173 World Rally Championship events, winning 44 and collecting 142 podium places.[4]
WRC Victories
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Gallery
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Focus WRC (1999) at the 2001Rally Finland. -
RS WRC 00 at the 2000Acropolis Rally. -
RS WRC 01 at the 2001Rally Finland. -
RS WRC 02 at the 2004Cyprus Rally. -
RS WRC 03 at the 2003Acropolis Rally. -
RS WRC 04 at the 2004Rally Finland. -
RS WRC 04 at the 2005Acropolis Rally. -
RS WRC 06 at the 2006Rally Japan. -
RS WRC 07 at the2007 Race of Champions. -
RS WRC 08 at the2008 Tour de Corse -
RS WRC 09 at the2010 Rally Bulgaria
References
edit- ^"Ford Focus RS WRC 07 technical specification".au.motorsport.Retrieved2022-12-18.
- ^"THE ALL-NEW FORD FOCUS RS WRC 06: TECHNOLOGY AND INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS".media.ford. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-05-25.Retrieved2008-02-26.
- ^"Ford Focus RS WRC 07, BP-Ford World Rally Team seeks to take huge steps forward".Auto Racing Daily.Archived fromthe originalon 12 January 2009.Retrieved23 November2008.
- ^"Ford bids a star-studded farewell to its Focus WRC".WRC.12 November 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 1 December 2010.Retrieved7 June2011.
External links
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- Ford Focus World Rally Carat Fordwrc (archived)
- Ford Focus WRC history and WRC events entered(archived)