FOCUS IN MOTORSPORT

McRae. Sainz. Grönholm. Big names in the rally world, and big winners in the Focus WRC.

Having less in common with a road-going Focus than previous rally-winning Cossies, the Focus WRC competed from 1999 to 2010, taking 44 victories and two manufacturers’ world championship crowns (in 2006 and ’07).

Running permanent four-wheel drive, the Focus WRC was built by M-Sport around a basic Focus-shaped bodyshell and very little else. Yes, the engine was loosely based on a two-litre Duratec, but turbocharged to produce 300bhp (restricted) and well over 400lb.ft torque, it transmitted grunt through a sequential gearbox and active differentials to hit 60mph in around four seconds.

Mk1 and Mk2-shaped generations of Focus WRC were produced, with each car gaining wider and wilder wings. They were replaced by the compact Fiesta RS WRC.

But that doesn’t mean there was no competition career for the Mk3. Indeed, the Mk3 ST has built on the successful Touring Car career of the Mk2 Focus ST and has been a race-winner and regular podium finisher in the BTCC over recent years. And, for 2018, the Motorbase Performance team behind the Focuses currently on the BTCC grid made the switch from ST to RS, already securing podium finishes within the first few rounds of the new season. It’s sure to be a winner before the year’s out.

And the Focus is destined to win many more trophies in all manner of motorsport disciplines from clubman events through to national Championships. It’s a proven race winner, and it’s not going anywhere just yet!