Another NSW EuroFordClub Event?

[whippet_zetec]

http://www.fordracing.ford.com.au/co...em.asp?id=1446

Ford confirms debut date for Australian Rally Championship

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Ford TeamRS Australia has confirmed that it will debut its all-new Focus in the Globalstar Australia Rally Championship at the Bathurst Rally NSW from 28-30 October.

It will be a big month for Ford at the spiritual home of Australian motor sport, with the rally being run just three weeks after the Super Cheap Auto 1000 for V8 Supercars.


In making the announcement Ford Racing Manager Ross Booth also outlined some details on the engine for the Focus.


"The opportunity to debut the car at Bathurst is not just important from a sporting sense, but from a publicity point of view it's ideal," said Booth.


"We have a very good chance of winning the 1000 kilometre V8 Supercar race at the start of the month, so to back that up with a strong showing in the rally at the end of October would be pretty special.


"Our plan of testing and developing before making our competition debut has paid dividends with some pretty good numbers coming from our engine program.


"At the moment we're getting 209 kW (280 BHP) which is better than we had anticipated at this stage. The further good news is that we have plenty of room for improvement. The team is ahead of its target on torque figures and we have no doubt about the engine's reliability.


"Right now we'll continue to work on getting the car in a condition ready to debut at Bathurst, as well as continue our negotiations with our commercial partners."


The power for the Focus comes from an in-line, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, twin-cam Duratec engine. Ford Racing Engineering Manager Steve Hoinville has been overseeing the engine and transmission program.


"Like the rest of the car, the engine and transmission package has been built to take full advantage of the Group N (P) regulations," said Hoinville.


"The engine features an all aluminium block, with unique inlet and exhaust manifolding. The entire package will be controlled by a Motec ECU.


"The power outputs have been very pleasing, but more importantly the power curve matches our six speed transmission.


"We have a huge amount of work still ahead of us before Bathurst. However, with our engine and transmission programs running well, we are confident that we will have a good starting point in other areas such as suspension,"


As part of continued preparation for the 2006 Globalstar Australian Rally Championship, driver Michael Guest and co-driver Mark Stacey will take part in reconnaissance for the NGK Rally of Melbourne on Thursday 1 September.


Ford has supplied the NGK Rally of Melbourne a number of officials' vehicles and will have the new Focus road models on display over the weekend of the event.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks got to JR for the heads up
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Event: Day Trip to Bathurst to hide in the Forest and watch all the Rally Cars go round but most importantly to grab a look at the NEW FOCUS RS competing

For those interested please enrol below. Further details will be provided as the date draws closer.

[zetec]

I'm keen to attend, but might hopefully be there with Ford, would love to say hi although not sure yet, will keep y'all posted.

[Timmeh]

I'm really interested in attending, would love to get some video and still photography practice in, and see the new car!

Tim