Ford confirms Bathurst for ARC debut - Brindabella Motor Sport Club

michael taylor · 25-08-2005, 11:31 AM

FORD CONFIRMS DEBUT DATE FOR AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Ford TeamRS Australia has confirmed that it will debut its all-new Focus in the Globalstar Australia Rally Championship at the Bathurst Rally NSW from 28-30 October.

It will be a big month for Ford at the spiritual home of Australian motor sport, with the rally being run just three weeks after the Super Cheap Auto 1000 for V8 Supercars.

In making the announcement Ford Racing Manager Ross Booth also outlined some details on the engine for the Focus.

"The opportunity to debut the car at Bathurst is not just important from a sporting sense, but from a publicity point of view it's ideal," said Booth.

"We have a very good chance of winning the 1000 kilometre V8 Supercar race at the start of the month, so to back that up with a strong showing in the rally at the end of October would be pretty special.

"Our plan of testing and developing before making our competition debut has paid dividends with some pretty good numbers coming from our engine program.

"At the moment we're getting 209 kW (280 BHP) which is better than we had anticipated at this stage. The further good news is that we have plenty of room for improvement. The team is ahead of its target on torque figures and we have no doubt about the engine's reliability.

"Right now we'll continue to work on getting the car in a condition ready to debut at Bathurst, as well as continue our negotiations with our commercial partners."

The power for the Focus comes from an in-line, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, twin-cam Duratec engine. Ford Racing Engineering Manager Steve Hoinville has been overseeing the engine and transmission program.

"Like the rest of the car, the engine and transmission package has been built to take full advantage of the Group N (P) regulations," said Hoinville.

"The engine features an all aluminium block, with unique inlet and exhaust manifolding. The entire package will be controlled by a Motec ECU.

"The power outputs have been very pleasing, but more importantly the power curve matches our six speed transmission.

"We have a huge amount of work still ahead of us before Bathurst. However, with our engine and transmission programs running well, we are confident that we will have a good starting point in other areas such as suspension,"

As part of continued preparation for the 2006 Globalstar Australian Rally Championship, driver Michael Guest and co-driver Mark Stacey will take part in reconnaissance for the NGK Rally of Melbourne on Thursday 1 September.

Ford has supplied the NGK Rally of Melbourne a number of officials' vehicles and will have the new Focus road models on display over the weekend of the event.

Kagan · 25-08-2005, 11:49 AM

So have we had it confirmed that they were only stirring with a 2WD car and of course it will be 4WD, yet. or is there still a whisper they may be throwing any chance of doing well away with a 2WD machine???

mattj · 25-08-2005, 11:57 AM

You would be crazy not to use a 4wd car!, well thay said making full use of the group n (P) rules so hopefully that means 4wd.

Bogan · 25-08-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagan

So have we had it confirmed that they were only stirring with a 2WD car and of course it will be 4WD, yet. or is there still a whisper they may be throwing any chance of doing well away with a 2WD machine???

I'd say it's going to be 4WD based purely on this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford propaganda

"Like the rest of the car, the engine and transmission package has been built to take full advantage of the Group N (P) regulations," said Hoinville.

You don't take full advantage of Grp N(P) by building a 2WD car. Although I'd love to see a RWD Focus at Bathurst

.

T.

Mark · 25-08-2005, 12:25 PM

Noticeably they didn't speak about engine capacity - just engine format. I know we heard about 2.5L before - which sounds like it is on the money because 208kw out of 2L is otherwise just a highly strung touring car engine...revving to all buggery.

I guess never underestimate a manufacturers desire to win a category so I wouldn't rule out 2WD and the Aussie Car Class. Nice if the team can go along to the bosses at the end of 2006 and say, "Look, we won our class and our aims this year. How about $3M a year budget now?" Or getting their noses wiped by Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi in 4WD means less management support hence less budget in future.

Depends on where they want to go. Go Naturally Aspirated but with 4WD gearbox and chassis for a year or two down the track so only the engine needs to be developed. Or, just get out there getting experience in anything for a year and develop chassis and suspension.

Still, if it is 2.5L, RWD, N/A, 4 cylinder, 280hp, sounds similar to a....Sylvia!

Mark

global · 25-08-2005, 03:27 PM

I don't think it can be 'Aussie Class' as its a german car assembled in South Africa.

My bet N (P) turbo 4 or possibly ( wildcard) 2500cc N/A 4 wd a la s2000 FIA rules? Did I mention assembled in South Africa...like the Golf SS2000 and Corolla S2000 rally cars....

But all money on N(p) 4wd turbo..... Good on Ford, they need to be contratulated. Good for the sport, good for everyone.

Spac · 25-08-2005, 03:34 PM

2WDs N(P) cars are allowed far more freedoms than AWD N(P)s are - so "full use of the freedoms" probably means 2WD rather than AWD.

And while I don't know the full Ford product line-up intimately, I'm pretty sure what they've suggested the specification is, is not allowed as a AWD N(P) car.

Ric Cary · 25-08-2005, 05:11 PM

Get Hold of Gav Mosher and thumb screw him or ply him with Bundy or Birds or Blokes till he divulges all secrets isn't he working for the team now

Jme · 25-08-2005, 08:55 PM

Guesty in 2.5L RWD 2005 Focus versus Dave King in the 2.4L RWD 1977 "B"..... in Sunny Corner.

Hmmm..... that's a fight I wouldn't pick if I were Ford. I hope Ford have....

Where's Mosher's number???

Spac · 25-08-2005, 09:10 PM

Oh yeah, bring it on, baby...
While it probably wouldn't be the best thing for the sport, I'd love to see Mr King hose Mr Guest.

Add Mr South and it could get even more interesting.
Wonder what would happen if Messers Murray, Fitzgerald, Fawcett et al were included in the mix?
I mean, I'd be kinda surprised if Guest couldn't beat Claude or Brad over the rally, but if they legitimately beat the works car on even one stage, it'd be deeply embarassing for Ford, surely...
And - without having seen the car, much less seeing the car in action - I just don't feel confident that Guest would be fast enough to ensure that it didn't happen.

Jimbo · 25-08-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael taylor

Ford has supplied the NGK Rally of Melbourne a number of officials' vehicles and will have the new Focus road models on display over the weekend of the event.

I drove the new V8 explorer back from broadmeadows (first time driving a V8).. It weights a bit, but it's got some grunt when you start pushing..

We pick up the Focus' tomorrow, be interesting to see how they drive..