WRC: Ford confirms participation for 2004

Ford confirms participation in WRC for 2004 season
Ford forges stronger bond with M-Sport to continue in world rally championship  

Ford today confirmed its participation in the FIA World Rally Championship for the 
2004 season and strengthened its relationship with M-Sport.  Ford will retain overall 
control of the programme while M-Sport, the British-based team which has successfully 
handled the Blue Oval's world rallying programme since 1997, will assume larger 
day-to-day responsibility in the title bid.

Jost Capito, director of Ford Team RS, which is responsible for the company's 
motorsport operations in Europe, said: "I'm delighted to confirm that the famous Blue 
Oval will be competing in the WRC next season.  We displayed to everyone this year the 
competitiveness of both the Focus RS World Rally Car and our young drivers.  I'm sure 
we are a strong contender for the title.

"I'm also delighted that M-Sport, our long-standing partner in the WRC, will continue 
to carry the flag for us in 2004 and equally happy that we will retain the support of 
BP.  The strengthening of our relationship with M-Sport is in recognition of the 
success of our partnership, of Ford's confidence in Malcolm Wilson and his highly 
professional team there, and in our ability together to achieve a more cost-effective 
way of keeping Ford in the sport at the highest level of competitiveness.  

During next season we will assess with great interest the anticipated growth of both 
the championship and global television coverage.  We need to monitor carefully the net 
value to Ford from participating in the series.  Rallying reflects the personality of 
our brand.  It also reflects the dependability of our products and provides an 
effective and exciting way of attracting customers to the Focus and our entire product 
range," added Capito.

M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson said he was delighted the Ford name would be 
in the WRC for 2004.  "Ford has one of the great heritages in motorsport, especially 
rallying, and it is important to preserve this.  But it is equally important to 
realise that we will not simply be making up the numbers. We will go into next year's 
championship with a two-car team to win.  In Markko Martin and Francois Duval we have 
a strong driver line-up and we have improved the performance of the Ford Focus RS WRC 
to the point where we can win any rally, on any surface.

"Now we want to build on the foundations we have laid over the past seven seasons to 
build a strong title challenge in 2004.  I believe the Ford / M-Sport partnership has 
the ability to do that.  This decision is confirmation of the importance Ford places 
in the WRC and also an endorsement of M-Sport's achievements in running the Blue 
Oval's rally programme to date," added Wilson.  

"This decision marks an important step for Ford and M-Sport," said Derrick Kuzak, 
Vice-President of Product Development for Ford of Europe.  "I'm delighted the Ford 
brand will be seen in the WRC in 2004 and equally happy that we have been able to 
strengthen the already fantastic relationship that we have with M-Sport."

-ford-


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