Ford World Rally Team

Over the next 30 years, the Escort – later in Rallye Sport-badged models, such as the RS1600 and RS1800 – became one of rallying’s most famous car names. Ford’s first success came in 1979, with Bjorn Waldegard’s drivers’ title and the Blue Oval taking the manufacturers’ title. Ari Vatanen followed that up with a second drivers’ crown in 1981, but over the next 20 years – despite many rally wins – the Escort just didn’t have another title in it.

In the final rallies of 2003 and for much of 2004, the new Focus WRC proved to be the fastest car in the field. During these years, the Focus also had a reputation for reliability. From the 2002 season-opener in Monte Carlo to the end of the 2006 season, the Focus WRC finished in the points in an amazing 76 consecutive events, smashing all previous records and setting a new benchmark that will be hard to match.

Ford’s renewed commitment to the WRC attracted the interest of double world champion Marcus Grönholm, while former occasional driver Mikko Hirvonen returned to the team full-time on a long-term deal that would allow him to add experience to his raw speed. It proved to be the perfect combination, with Grönholm securing victory on the Focus WRC 06’s debut in Monte Carlo.

A further six wins for the double world champ, and a debut victory for Hirvonen, helped the team secure its first manufacturers’ title since 1979. Further improvement in 2007 allowed Mikko to pick up another three wins, took Grönholm to the brink of a drivers' title and brought Ford back-to-back manufacturers' championships.

Heading into 2009, Ford Europe’s new Motorsport Director Mark Deans is confident that he has the perfect team to push for further success. "We have a dynamic, young driver line-up with Jari and Mikko and are supported by one of the most enthusiastic and hard-working teams in motorsport, and I look forward to a year that I'm confident will be a successful one.”