What is going t happen at Ford now

[Venom XR]

Why didn't anyone ask if Holden Motorsport would change under Dennis Mooney? Because like Ford, they have existing people running the motorsport operations. There's nothing to worry about.

[Conrod Kieron]

Venom, I think the difference is Holden have continiously been involved in MS and Hannenberger wasn't the pusher.

In Fords case they havn't and it took Polites to kick some arses in the US as it was they who pulled the pin on the aborted 'factory' race team a few years back with Seto.

Polites knew about marketing in Australia and understood the importance of motor racing involvement. What he has put in place doesn't instantly work, its a gradual thing to get the youngsters under the Ford oval and to do that you have to be a winner. For Ford, this plan is still in its crucial infancy and the momentum needs to keep going, pulling the instigator hopefully won't stop it.

[00 XR8]

Originally posted by Ozfords
A Focus ARC program? Makes alot of sense to the mass of dealers desperatly trying to discount "Europe's" most favourite medium small car.

There has got to be some Group N Focuses in Europe just ready to be shipped to Australia, it might also help with bringing more factory backing to the ARC.

Ozfords

My limited knowledge of the very complicated rally rules are as follows........

A Group N Focus would have to run as a front wheel drive non-turbo because unlike things like the Evos and STis there are no road going 4WD turbo Fucoses. Therefor there are no Group N Focus' floating around in Europe to be purchased and run here by Ford Aus and there is probably no Group N Focus even homologated with the FIA because Ford know they would be uncompetitive.

To run a ARC program, Ford Aus would have to do what Toyota did. That is design, homologate and assemble a one off (or two of a kind, what ever) Group NP 4WD Turbo Focus if they want to be competitive. That would not only cost a packet, it would also be a huge and lengthy task, espeacially seeing that Ford don't have the same building blocks that Toyota had through their long time association with Neal Bates Rallying.

And so far the Bates cars haven't proven to be competitive with the true Group N cars which is making them look quite foolish at the moment.

I am happy to be corrected on any of the above though

[mixxer]

further info on that, the corolla is running a modified celica GT4 drivetrain

[Mark Webber]

ALL true but the NEW RS Focus is a 4wd turbo that will be released in Q4 of 04 in Europe. by their is not reason they can not run a corolla type Focus

[Ozfords]

Originally posted by 00 XR8
My limited knowledge of the very complicated rally rules are as follows........

A Group N Focus would have to run as a front wheel drive non-turbo because unlike things like the Evos and STis there are no road going 4WD turbo Fucoses. Therefor there are no Group N Focus' floating around in Europe to be purchased and run here by Ford Aus and there is probably no Group N Focus even homologated with the FIA because Ford know they would be uncompetitive.

To run a ARC program, Ford Aus would have to do what Toyota did. That is design, homologate and assemble a one off (or two of a kind, what ever) Group NP 4WD Turbo Focus if they want to be competitive. That would not only cost a packet, it would also be a huge and lengthy task, espeacially seeing that Ford don't have the same building blocks that Toyota had through their long time association with Neal Bates Rallying.

And so far the Bates cars haven't proven to be competitive with the true Group N cars which is making them look quite foolish at the moment.

I am happy to be corrected on any of the above though

Thanks alot fot that info 00 XR8, hopefully there can be Group NP Focus.


Ozfords

[GTRMagic]

Ford could build a car like that 00XR8, using MSport to do the design work. There is an AWD drivetrain in the road going Escort Cosworth that could easily be adapted, as this model had a significant Gp N customer base.

But would Ford stump for a $700k prototype to go rallying with, then spend twice as much again keeping a team and driver/codriver amused for the season? And at best participate rather than do good?

[Mattracer]

Originally posted by Conrod Kieron
Venom, I think the difference is Holden have continiously been involved in MS and Hannenberger wasn't the pusher.

In Fords case they havn't and it took Polites to kick some arses in the US as it was they who pulled the pin on the aborted 'factory' race team a few years back with Seto.

Polites knew about marketing in Australia and understood the importance of motor racing involvement. What he has put in place doesn't instantly work, its a gradual thing to get the youngsters under the Ford oval and to do that you have to be a winner. For Ford, this plan is still in its crucial infancy and the momentum needs to keep going, pulling the instigator hopefully won't stop it.

Pulling the Ford $$$$$ from the tennis was a symbolic thing as much as anything else. Polites must have been amazed at the numbers of young licence holders rushing to by ex-chaser Holdens at the auctions on the back of the V8 Supercar thing as opposed to the numbers looking to buy Fords.

[GTRMagic]

Originally posted by Venom XR
Why didn't anyone ask if Holden Motorsport would change under Dennis Mooney? Because like Ford, they have existing people running the motorsport operations. There's nothing to worry about.

Because Mr Borrett and co have a seat at the table in general Holden management, having worked there in an engineering capacity for many years in Australia and abroad, such that their desires, as an extension of the marketing department, are often treated with positivity after many years of on-track success relating to new car sales success.....

Mr Kruk has no seat, working for the CEO (meaning a single level relationship...) from an S&M background.... doesnt necessarily have the support of the wider business.... where sexy questions may be asked... "...why are we spending $20m on motorsport when we can buy a discombombulator mk3 which will take 0.03 poofteenths of a second off the time it takes to make the number 3 assembly technique..."

[Driver]

Originally posted by SRabbit
I think the given figure was 280kw??

I know it is off topic but thanks to Ozfords at Conrod here is a video of the V8 Focus.

http://www.covert1.us/html/fun_ford_weekend.html

[Ozfords]

Mmmmm, FPV V8 Ford Focus, imagine the merchandise...

"Lil' B@$t@rd"

Thats what I'm talking about!


Ozfords

[Venom XR]

Originally posted by GTRMagic
Mr Kruk has no seat, working for the CEO (meaning a single level relationship...) from an S&M background.... doesnt necessarily have the support of the wider business.... where sexy questions may be asked... "...why are we spending $20m on motorsport when we can buy a discombombulator mk3 which will take 0.03 poofteenths of a second off the time it takes to make the number 3 assembly technique..."

Except that the purchase of the 'discombombulator mk3', seeing as it lies in the area of manufacturing, is now John Crew's responsibility, not Tom Gorman's. I presume you've read the news, and therefore know Mr Crew is a former Broadmeadows engineer (an Australian), but is now executive vice-pres of operations. Therefore, that 'single-level' relationship you spoke is no longer the case as it existed when Geoff was running the show.