Surprise, Surprise: FORD WITHDRAWS FROM BATHURST RALLY

[michael taylor]

Ford TeamRS Australia has informed organisers of the Bathurst Rally New South Wales of its withdrawal from this weekend's round of the Globalstar Australia Rally Championship (GARC).

A thorough inspection of components following recent testing highlighted key modifications to some parts that would be necessary before the team was happy to enter competition.

Despite the best efforts of the team and suppliers, these modifications won't be achieved in time for the event in Bathurst.

"We ran over 200 kilometres in testing last week and were very pleased with how things were progressing," said Ford Racing manager Ross Booth.

"However, on completion of testing, the team identified some areas that needed attention before the Bathurst Rally New South Wales.

"After consultation with our engineers and suppliers, it became apparent that we would not have enough time to rectify the issues.

"This was not an easy decision to make. We have been looking forward to this event for a long time and everyone involved in the program is disappointed. However, we are satisfied that this is the right decision.

"We expect the Bathurst Rally to be very tough on vehicles and we could not be confident of the reliability of some components.

"I'm not willing to name the components of the car that will require modifications, as it would be unfair on our suppliers. Our technical partners have done a great job on this project and like us, they are keen to have everything spot-on for a full championship campaign in 2006.

"Our 2005 plan of testing and development has not changed. We will be doing many kilometres in the coming months and that will allow us to improve the Focus before the 2006 GARC.

"As a sign of good faith to the organisers of the event, the championship and the fans, we will have the car at the event.

Michael Guest and co-driver Mark Stacey will take part in reconnaissance for the Bathurst Rally New South Wales on Thursday.

[Jimbo]

[smee]

Originally Posted by michael taylor

Ford TeamRS "However, on completion of testing, the team identified some areas that needed attention before the Bathurst Rally New South Wales.

"I'm not willing to name the components of the car that will require modifications, as it would be unfair on our suppliers. Our technical partners have done a great job on this project and like us, they are keen to have everything spot-on for a full championship campaign in 2006.

What like driver,
tyres,
we should have gone 4wd not 2wd
we won't come close to matching times of even Darren Gee.

[mattj]

Bummer i was keen to see how the car would go.... not far now i guess!

[Marty]

Maybe they should enter the NatCap!

[Kagan]

Marty, not such a bad idea, the would probably do well to get the car out and run it in that style of event, but they might want to choose something other than the NatCap, chance are it will be rained out, and if it doesn't rain, they wouldn't want to get beaten in a state event now would they!!!

Maybe they should wait for the snap-on next year, or even the Minidulla or something, a good shakedown for the car, and the "should" win it!!

[Mark]

1) Great lesson in how to get '000's of $ worth of advertising - for free! What's the chance there will be a feature on the car on RPM this weekend?

2) Good to see everything isn't steered by sales people but project management does have a role!

3) I think once they get it sorted it will be at least the speed of the top 2WD in NSW State. Which judging by the speed this year, is enough to keep most Turbo 4WD punters honest.
It's has to have top suspension in it, +210kw at the fly, is going to be around 150kw at the wheels, in a lightweight body shell. They're going to have top tyres - or a lot of them.

4) Yeah. Suppliers my ar.se. What, Terratrip doesn't work, Proflex or whatever not strong enough, tyres de-laminating? Unlikely. All tried and tested. Engine or gearbox most likely.

[Kagan]

Mark the didn't state who their suppliers were, it was probably Ford that they were waiting on!!!

So you think they should be able to match it with the NSW state 2WD cars... thats all good for NSW state, but the are competing in the ARC... Also who was the top NSW state 2WD driver this year??? Michael South I am guessing, and how many events did he win outright??? Where did he come in the overall series (well to date anyway)...

I just don't see why so much money was spent on a car that may be able to keep up with cars that compete at a lower level, seeing as though Michaels car was sold for $20 odd thousand dollars!!!

[Swill]

Originally Posted by Mark

1) 4) Yeah. Suppliers my ar.se. What, Terratrip doesn't work, Proflex or whatever not strong enough, tyres de-laminating? Unlikely. All tried and tested. Engine or gearbox most likely.

Nah I just reckon that testing proved it to be bloody slow....

[TKM]

So should we start a new poll now to see if they will show up for the first ARC next year

[Mark]

Kagan,

1) Yep, you're probably right on the first one.

2) Go and look at the Bathurst State Round results this year and see how he did for the first five(?) stages...and then the big long stage had about 40 drainage ditches across them - all 'slow and go' territory. In fact, if you do pull up the results, compare Plenderleith in his RS on his home turf with MS's times in the Silvia as well. I think the bloke over in rally.com.au land thought that it would be about the speed off RS's.

My point is: I think it will be 2 - 3seconds/km off the pace which isn't sooo bad. That's a number purely out of my ar.se because I haven't compared NSW State people in the last year with front running ARC people. John Mitchell might be a good benchmark - I imagine he's 1 - 2s/km off the front runners of the ARC.

Why's Ford doing it you ask? Probably because it is only 2-3s/km off the pace, but more sideways it will still look and sound like it is going fast - and hence winning. Reality is merely based on your perception.

Mark

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Kagan

I just don't see why so much money was spent on a car that may be able to keep up with cars that compete at a lower level, seeing as though Michaels car was sold for $20 odd thousand dollars!!!

On the topic of how they could spend 'so much money' - it's actually pretty easy to do. Given what I've spent on my car ($30k and it's still incomplete) it seems I should've just waited a year and a half and bought the silvia instead. With the silvia's new shell it'll be a much better car than mine because Michael has probably spent at least $50k developing it to its current level, while I've just put some good gear into a pretty much standard car.

Given the Focus doesn't come RWD from factory I'd expect Ford has spent a lot of money trying to get the rear end right, let alone drivetrain stuff.

[Kagan]

Tweety I hope that Ford's budget was a touch more than 30k though

Yeah you could have waited and bought Michael's, but then you wouldn't have had all the fun I am sure you have had building your car!!!

[rowdytoot]

No big surprise really on the Ford front..



I know what you mean though Jen.. I'm faced with- spend a few K on the gemini - more grunt + locker (bad idea IMHO) OR wait, save some pennies and throw say 10 -12 K + gemini sale at something quicker,

Annoying... really...


Rowds

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Kagan

Tweety I hope that Ford's budget was a touch more than 30k though

Me too - otherwise they might as well drive an RX-7.

Yeah you could have waited and bought Michael's, but then you wouldn't have had all the fun I am sure you have had building your car!!!

What drugs are you on boy? Building a rally car is the most f***ed up experience ever, particularly when you're reliant on help from people who are fairly indifferent about whether or not you ever finish it.

Originally Posted by Rowdytoot

so, how is the wiring coming along Jen??

Well you see, if I close my eyes and think really hard, I can pretend it's finished .