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PRESS RELEASE: 3 February 2012

Rally Sweden 9- 12 February

Ford targets six of the best at Scandinavian snowfest

Ford World Rally Team’s Nordic drivers will aim to extend the squad’s winning grip at the Swedish Rally (9 - 12 February) next week. The team has won the last five fixtures of the FIA World Rally Championship’s only true winter encounter and both Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala and Norway’s Petter Solberg have Swedish victories to their names.

Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila claimed their maiden WRC victory at the Karlstad-based rally in 2008 and Solberg, now partnered by Chris Patterson, took the spoils in 2005. The Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car that the two pairings will campaign also has a strong history in Sweden, having mastered the snow and ice to claim a podium clean sweep on its debut last season.

This year’s rally spans both Sweden and Norway and temperatures in the barren countryside can plunge towards -30ºC, placing huge demands on man and machine. Keeping the Fiesta RS WRCs at peak performance in such unrelenting cold demands specific engineering solutions, while the only way for mechanics to work outside in such conditions is to pile on layer after layer of clothing.

But for the drivers, a winter wonderland where studded tyres, anti-glare sunglasses and heated driving boots are ‘de rigueur’, brings great anticipation.

Hundreds of tungsten-tipped steel studs protrude from each of Michelin’s winter tyres to bite into the frozen road surface. They provide amazing grip and, paradoxically, Rally Sweden is one of the championship’s fastest rounds. Drivers also ‘lean’ their cars against the solid snow banks that line the forest roads to help guide them around corners.

Latvala, who finished third in 2010 and 2011 to add to his 2008 victory, has his sights set on another podium. “That’s my target. I was happy after the first day of my pre-event test. I concentrated on perfecting the car set-up, and that’s now clear in my head. I was a little too aggressive with the settings last year so I’ve modified them slightly,” he said.

“Driving on snow at such high speed is an incredible feeling. The driving style is more sideways than on gravel, using the throttle to pull the car straight again. It helps provide more lateral grip because when the car is at an angle and leaning, the traction is better.

“On pure ice the studs provide such good grip that the braking points are later than on gravel. That only changes when there is loose snow on the surface, which provides the same effect as driving on a rain-soaked road. The car ‘snow-planes’ and you must brake sooner,” he added.

Solberg, who claimed a podium on his team debut at Rallye Monte-Carlo last month, has huge experience of the rally, with 12 previous starts to his credit. The 37-year-old has a family home and hotel alongside Friday morning’s Mitandersfors speed test, just inside Sweden, and can rely on extra support both there and in his native Norway.

“The farmhouse overlooks the special stage,” he said. “I can stand at the door and see the road. I think there will be many people and TV crews there so the atmosphere should be great. At least I know the road well! The conditions are looking good for a fast, proper winter event. It’s fun to drive in such conditions and as the rally goes into Norway this year, it makes it even more special for me.

“This will be my first loose surface rally in a Fiesta RS WRC. I have only two days of testing in which to get used to it on snow and ice, but I’m not worried. Asphalt was the surface on which I expected difficulties in settling into the car, but I felt comfortable immediately at Rallye Monte-Carlo. Ford has a superb recent record in this rally and Jari-Matti and I want to extend that,” added Solberg.

Rally Sweden ushers in a new qualifying procedure to the WRC. After two hours of free practice on Thursday morning, drivers will tackle one timed run over the same stage. They will then choose their preferred start position for the first leg, with the quickest qualifier having first choice ahead of the next fastest and so on.

“It’s a great idea,” said Solberg. “Every driver has the possibility to earn the start position they want with a good performance in qualifying. It also provides another opportunity for the media to talk about the rally in the build-up to the start.”

Team News

* Regulations limit the team to just one tyre from partner Michelin. The X-Ice North will be equipped with 380 studs to provide maximum ‘bite’ in the snow and ice. Each stud is 20mm long and 4g in weight. However, just 7mm are exposed, with 13mm inserted into the tyre to provide a strong anchor.

* The Ford squad will complete a four-day test at Kall in northern Sweden tomorrow (Saturday). Latvala drove on Wednesday and Thursday, with Solberg taking the wheel for the final two days.

* Nine privately-entered Fiesta RS WRCs supplement the official cars. Ott Tänak / Kuldar Sikk and Evgeny Novikov / Denis Giraudet are nominated by M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, which has also entered Michal Solowow / Maciek Baran. Martin Prokop / Zdenek Hrùza are entered by the Czech Ford National Team. Individual entries have been placed by Matthew Wilson / Scott Martin, Norwegian trio Henning Solberg / Ilka Minor, Mads Østberg / Jonas Andersson and Eyvind Brynildsen / Cato Menkerud, and Finns Jari Ketomaa / Mika Stenberg.

Rally Route

The major change is a full day in Norway during Friday’s opening leg, over roads used during the final running of Rally Norway in 2009. Otherwise the format is familiar, with the event based in Karlstad, the major service park at Hagfors Airport and stages in the Värmland and Dalarna regions of Sweden. After Thursday morning’s qualifying test near Hagfors, the rally begins with a super special stage at Karlstad’s trotting track that evening. The opening leg is the longest and includes six stages in Norway, as well as a test that starts in Sweden before crossing the border to finish in Norway. A remote service will be held in the Norwegian town of Kongsvinger. The final two days are based in the Dalarna region near Hagfors, almost all on roads used last year. The final 4.66km Hagfors Power Stage will offer bonus points for the fastest three drivers. The finish is in Karlstad’s main square on Sunday afternoon, after 24 stages covering 349.16km in a route of 1842.60km.

For more information: Contact Mark Wilford or Russell Atkins at the Ford World Rally Team media desk in Karlstad Tel: + 46 54 291018. Images available at www.worldrallypics.com/ford

PRESS RELEASE: 22 January 2012

Solberg steers Ford to podium on his stunning Fiesta debut

Ford World Rally Team’s Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson have secured their first podium at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC after an exceptional performance at this week’s Rallye Monte-Carlo. What's more, the Norwegian, returning to the Ford camp for the first time since 2000, celebrated a personal best with third place at the iconic event.

Rejoining the FIA World Rally Championship calendar for the first time since 2008, Rallye Monte-Carlo provided the WRC crews with five gruelling days of competition covering more than 433km. It has been the longest WRC event since Kenya’s Safari Rally in 2002, and was primarily based in Valence before relocating south to the glamorous Principality of Monaco on the French Riviera.

Renowned as a rally with ever-changing road and climatic conditions, this year’s demanding event proved no different as the 18 speed tests challenged the WRC crews with a mix of wet and dry roads compounded by snow, fog and black ice. Tyre choice proved critical and played a pivotal role from the outset as the WRC teams could select between five types of new-for-2012 Michelin tyre.

After team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala’s retirement from the lead on the opening day, a cat-and-mouse battle for second place ensued between Solberg and Dani Sordo. Without studded tyres, the 2003 World Rally Champion Solberg struggled with grip on the treacherously slippery roads on Friday morning and was knocked back into third.

Three stage wins on Saturday, however, saw the 37-year-old driver slash Sordo’s advantage from over one minute at the start of the day to less than 20sec by the time the WRC crews reached the overnight halt at Monte-Carlo’s harbour front. With a short 5.16km Power Stage concluding the WRC curtain-raiser on Sunday, Solberg applied a measured approach to ensure a podium spot.

“I’m over the moon. I’ve absolutely loved this rally from start to finish and this is the best start to a WRC season I’ve ever had,” said a delighted Solberg at the finish line. “It is my first rally in the Ford Fiesta RS WRC with so little testing beforehand, and we improved our speed all the way through. For me, this rally was mainly about getting some kilometres in the car, improving our speed and getting to the finish.

"I love the car – it is really fast, I can tell you! It suits my driving style very well. I’ve been waiting for a long time to get into a situation like this, and to have the full support from the Ford team feels fantastic.

“You need to have a good start to the season if you want to fight Seb [Loeb],” continued Solberg. “I understand the car is even better on gravel and snow, so I’m looking forward to moving onto those surfaces next. To finish this rally in the top three is the perfect start to the season – I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Now I can concentrate solely on the driving, and I can’t wait to get to Sweden!”

Ford Team Principal Malcolm Wilson was encouraged by Solberg’s first outing in the Fiesta RS WRC. “Petter’s experience has shone through as he has delivered a superb performance. The car has been 100 per cent faultless throughout the rally, and Petter has been really happy with it and has settled into the team very well.

“To leave here with his best-ever Monte-Carlo result is a great platform to build upon over the rest of the year,” Wilson continued. “This has given us a lot of confidence going forward. We had the fastest driver on this rally with Jari-Matti leading early on and Petter has done a great job, so looking to the future we know we’ve got a really strong team. We have a test before Sweden, and I’m confident we’ll come away with another positive result next month.”

Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn was delighted with Solberg’s drive. “This has been an extremely challenging start to the 2012 season, considering we’ve covered 433 stage kilometres over the last five days. We’re thrilled for Petter and Chris finishing on the podium on their first outing in the Fiesta RS WRC. There was obviously disappointment with Jari-Matti going out of the rally so early on, but from the pace he showed, I’m confident it’s going to be an exciting season for the Ford World Rally Team,” he said.

News from other Ford teams

Evgeny Novikov matched his best-ever WRC result by finishing fifth in his M-Sport Ford World Rally Team-run Fiesta RS WRC alongside experienced co-driver Denis Giraudet. François Delecour / Dominique Savignoni came home sixth following a polished performance in another Fiesta RS WRC. A consistent drive left Rallye Monte-Carlo debutants Ott Tänak / Kuldar Sikk eighth in a similar car. Martin Prokop / Zdenek Hruza finished the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo ninth, a personal best for the duo in the Principality. New-for-2012 Go Fast Energy World Rally Team’s Matthew Wilson / Scott Martin finished 11th in a Fiesta RS WRC, whilst team-mates Henning Solberg / Ilka Minor claimed 13th.

Final positions
1. S Loeb/D Elena FRA Citroen DS3 4hr 32min 39.9sec
2. D Sordo/C Del Barrio Corral ESP MINI John Cooper 4hr 35min 25.4sec
3. P Solberg/C Patterson NOR Ford Fiesta RS 4hr 35min 24.1sec
4. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Citroen DS3 4hr 36min 46.7sec
5. E Novikov/D Giraudet RUS Ford Fiesta RS 4hr 38min 43.3sec
6. F Delecour/D Savignoni FRA Ford Fiesta RS 4hr 40min 27.8sec
7. P Campana/S De Castelli FRA MINI John Cooper 4hr 41min 11.3sec
8. O Tänak/K Sikk EST Ford Fiesta RS 4hr 43min 14.5sec
9. M Prokop/Z Hruza CZE Ford Fiesta RS 4hr 48min 50.6sec
10. A Araujo/M Ramalho PRT MINI John Cooper 4hr 48min 56.5sec

Drivers
1. S Loeb 28 points
2. D Sordo 18 points
3. P Solberg 15 points
4. M Hirvonen 14 points
5. E Novikov 11 points
6. F Delecour 8 points
7. P Campana 6 points
8. O Tänak 4 points

Manufacturers
1. Citröen Total World Rally Team 37 points
2. MINI WRC Team 26 points
3. M-Sport Ford World Rally Team 16 points
4. Ford World Rally Team 15 points

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PRESS RELEASE: 12th January 2012

FORD UNVEILS 2012 FIESTA RS WORLD RALLY CAR WITH ALL-NEW COLOUR SCHEME

BIRMINGHAM, 12 January 2012 – The all-new Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car livery was revealed today when the company’s official team unveiled the new colours that will adorn the car in the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship.

Ford World Rally Team director Malcolm Wilson and Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn unveiled the livery for the eye-catching Fiesta RS WRC at the Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, motorsport’s traditional start-of-season showcase event.

The team will continue to be sponsored by Castrol EDGE. Branding for Castrol’s global range of best-in-class motor oils will feature prominently in the Fiesta RS WRC’s new livery for the upcoming season, as it did in 2011.

The Fiesta RS World Rally Car, with its four wheel-drive transmission and 1.6-litre EcoBoost-inspired engine will once again spearhead Ford’s challenge in the 2012 and 2013 championships. The car, based on the best-selling Fiesta road car, claimed a clean sweep of the podium in both the first and final rounds of its debut season last year.

Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila, who topped the world rankings for special stage victories in 2011 and won the final round of the championship in Rally GB last season, are confirmed as team leaders for 2012.

They will be partnered by former world champion Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson, who have signed a one-year agreement to drive the team’s second Fiesta RS WRC in all 13 rounds. The experienced Solberg won the world title in 2003 and the 37-year-old Norwegian has 13 world rally wins to his name. It will be his second stint with Ford, having launched his world rally career with the team in 1999.

PRESS RELEASE: 15th December 2011

Ford extends World Rally Championship participation with new two-year agreement with M-Sport

• Ford of Europe continues its World Rally Championship programme for 2012 and 2013
• Company signs new two-year agreement with British-based M-Sport, Ford’s long-term rally partner
• Jari-Matti Latvala confirmed as lead driver in Fiesta RS World Rally Car
• Former world champion Petter Solberg joins the team as second driver.

COLOGNE, Dec. 15 2011 – Ford of Europe announced today it is extending its participation in the FIA World Rally Championship into 2012 and 2013.

Long-term partner M-Sport, the British-based preparation company, which has successfully operated Ford’s WRC activities since 1997, will continue to operate the programme from its state-of-the-art facilities at Dovenby Hall in north-west England.

The Fiesta RS World Rally Car will continue as Ford’s WRC flagship in 2012 and 2013. The car, based on the successful Fiesta road car, claimed a clean sweep of the podium in both the first and final rounds of its debut season this year.

Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila, who topped the world rankings for special stage victories in 2011 and won the final round of the championship in Britain last month, are confirmed as team leaders for 2012. They will be partnered by former world champion Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson, who have signed a one-year agreement to drive the team’s second Fiesta RS WRC in all 13 rounds. The experienced Solberg won the world title in 2003 and the 37-year-old Norwegian has 13 world rally wins to his name. It will be his second stint with Ford, having launched his world rally career with the team in 1999.

The squad will be named Ford World Rally Team and will retain support from long-term partner Castrol for both 2012 and 2013.

Ford has a long and successful heritage in rallying. It is second in the all-time wins list with 79 world rally victories and its run of 145 consecutive points finishes, dating back to the opening round of the 2002 championship, is the longest in the sport’s history. Ford of Europe chairman and CEO Stephen Odell highlighted the strong will of all parties to continue in the WRC.