Formula One news

Ford will not quit Rally too

While it has decided to sell off its Formula One interests, Ford is not planning to pull out of the World Rally Championship, the car manufacturer has announced. Ford is actually hoping to challenge for the WRC title in 2006 and will now concentrate its motorsport activities around the Focus road car model.

A completely new Focus rally car will be developed for the 2006 season and Ford is also developing a version of the Focus for use in touring car championships. Ford have won the last two rallies but its lead driver Markko Martin is leaving for rivals Peugeot next season.

"We believe that the infrastructure is now in place for us to move forward and build a team capable of bringing world titles to Ford," said Ford's rally boss, Jost Capito. "A four-year programme allows us the opportunity to develop the new Focus into a challenger for WRC success."

This means Ford plans to stick around in rally until at least 2008.

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