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Ford pulls out of WRC

FORD FIESTA
By David Zalstein |
FIND DEALS

Ford of Europe has announced its withdrawal from the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of this year’s 2012 season, after 16 seasons partnering with UK-based Malcolm Wilson Motorsport (M-Sport).

Ford’s decision to leave the sport comes as a result of a review of its European business and the current difficult economic environment, mirroring Mini’s recent WRC exit after only one season in the on- and off-road spectacle.

Ford of Europe vice president of marketing, sales and service Roelant de Waard, said given Ford’s long and proud history in WRC, the decision to pull out was not an easy one.

Ford Fiesta RS WRC - 2

“At this time, however, we determined that it was better for the company and the Ford brand to reduce our commitment to the WRC and deploy our resources in other areas.”

Ford says its long-time rallying partner, M-Sport, plans to continue competing in the rally championship with its Ford Fiesta, despite the factory support ceasing.

M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson thanked Ford of Europe for its support and the faith over their 16 seasons together saying, “We understand that tough decisions have had to be made and look forward to continuing our strong technical partnership into the future.”

With the departure of both Ford and Mini, the 2013 WRC season looks destined to be a three-horse race with Citroen, Hyundai and Volkswagen campaigning factory teams.

Citroen WRC


 

  • http://twitter.com/Sprae Benson

    WRC comp is turning into irrelevancy for manufacturers… I still remember the days where Toyota, Subaru and Mitsubishi danced around those impossible courses 

    • Jober As A Sudge

      Makinen, McRae, Sainz, Auriol, Kankkunen, Blomqvist, Rohrl…absolute legends. WRC hasn’t been the same since the early 2000s unfortunately. I still contend that rally drivers are the most talented amongst the racers.

      • Zaccy16

        yeah rally is definatley the hardest form of motor racing, its gone down hill though recently 

      • Frank

        Hey Jober, don’t forget Biasion?

      • Lespo

        Hey guys lets not forget , Toivenen God bless his soul.

        Group B 600+ rally monsters were the days!!!

  • Horsie

    yes the celica GT4 was the golden era IMO

    • Showtime

       Colin McRae in the Impreza was the golden era :)

      • Anyhow

        Umm gents…
        Never heard of Group B? 
        Check out some videos on youtube
        Insanity.

      • Guest

         Gentleman please, those cars were like sleeping tablets!

        The real golden era had Audi Quattro S1, Lancia 037, Lancia Delta S4, Metro 6R4, 911 Carrera SC RS and others. This was the best era with the most spectacular cars. Luckily we can still see the Audi racing today and some of the others racing today. The sight and distinctive 5 cylinder sound of that beast is something else.

        Rallying just isn’t what it used to be now, it’s at a low ebb, as is probably sports-car racing which hit its high point in the 70s and 80s.

        • Lespo

          The Delts S4 Turbocharged & Supercharheg AWD weighing 960kg with 600+ HP was one of my favourites….0-100 K/PH in 2.3 sec.

          Thats entertaining!!!

        • trololololol

          True, group B was THE golden era of rally. I just wish they would introduce an unlimited class similar to the way pikes peak cars are. Then things would get interesting……

  • Allan

    Just as the future looked bright (having multiple manufacturers) now two of them pulls out…..booo

    • Guest

       Well, the article suggests that Ford will still be there as a car – done by Malcolm Wilson’s organisation (who are pretty good at what they do), just not officially factory backed. But if the car wins, Ford will be rushing to claim the kudos, to be sure. So we lose Mini, but Ford remains.

    • trololololol

      Dude its only the factory backed funding thats leaving. The fiesta’s and mini’s will still be there but privately funded instead.

  • Andrew

    With Red Bull in charge we’ll be right. Their promotional skills are second to none as we all know.

    • trololololol

      Agreed! Probably the best thing to happen in modern WRC was the red bull take over!