Rally – All-new Ford Fiesta RS WRC geared up for Rally Sweden debut

FROM: ABU DHABI FORD After completing more than 12000km of testing, the all-new Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car will make its debut at Rally Sweden (10 – 13 February) next week. The opening round of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship will introduce a fresh era to the sport, and the renamed Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team has prepared meticulously in the development of its new-generation WRC challenger. Testing broke through the 12000km barrier last week – the equivalent of more than two seasons of WRC competition –…

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Rally – Ford switches Fiesta RS WRC test plans for Arctic Rally

FROM: FORD Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team has dropped plans to debut its all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car in Finland’s Arctic Lapland Rally (28 – 29 January) next weekend. Team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen and team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were scheduled to drive a leg each in the two-day snow and ice rally based in Rovaniemi. It was due to be the final part of the squad’s pre-season test programme before next month’s opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Sweden. However,…

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Inside the Helmet *EXCLUSIVE* – Jari-Matti Latvala

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe Inside the Helmet segment is back and we are honored to have the 2010 World Rally Championship runner up joining us. Jari-Matti Latvala has been gracious enough to allow us a few minutes and talks about what happened in 2010 as opposed to 2009, the Monte Carlo rally, and Ken Block’s impact on the WRC. Special thanks to all the members at Abu Dhabi Ford for making this happen so quickly. We wish all the team members the best of luck in 2011!

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Rally – Sunday Service Park 1-2-2011

Welcome to the first Sunday Service Park of 2011. The news has been slow due to Christmas and New Year’s, but we are going to take a look at the 2011 Manufacturer’s Championship for the WRC. Citroen has dominated the series for the last few years, but this season Ford has a great shot at taking the fight to the French as the slate is wiped clean. The late introduction of the FiA technical regulations for 2011 has now potentially shown us the first gap between Ford and Citroen. As…

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OP-Ed – The future is in Ogier’s hands

By Alasdair Lindsay The WRC Silly Season may not be as buzzing with action as the F1 equivalent – but arguably it has one mover that can change the entire shape of the sport for years to come, simply by choosing between two teams. It’s not just Sebastien Ogier who’ll be affected by his own decision between Citroen and Ford, the implications will change the careers of many around him as well. From Ogier’s perspective, you’d expect the choice to be a simple one – stay at the marque which…

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