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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Ford Celebrates Landmark Record on Cyprus Rally

Staff, Monday May 16, 2005.

Page 1 of 1

The record-breaking sequence, on surfaces as diverse as rough gravel, smooth asphalt and snow and ice, demanded a blend of strength, speed and reliability from the Focus. It began on the Monte Carlo Rally in 2002. Fifth place for BP-Ford World Rally Team drivers Toni Gardemeister and Jakke Honkanen and sixth for team-mates Roman Kresta and Jan Mo?ný on the car-breaking gravel tracks of the Mediterranean island sealed the achievement. Ford's delight was complete when private entrants Henning Solberg and Cato Menkerud claimed fourth in another Focus RS.

"This is a quite remarkable feat," said BP-Ford team director Malcolm Wilson, who has presided over the run. "No other manufacturer has come close to this record. It's a tribute to the nine drivers who have contributed to this run and the whole M-Sport team, which has worked so hard over the past seasons. But most of all, it's a success for the Ford Focus which has displayed its speed and strength throughout the 50 rallies. Now our sights are firmly set on extending the record even further."

This sixth round of the championship was one of the toughest events seen in recent years. Incredibly rocky gravel tracks in the Troodos Mountains took a heavy toll and only 21 of the original 54 starters completed the gruelling three-day route that covered 326.68km of competition. Shade temperatures of 30°C and twisty roads, that ensured average speeds often failed to rise above 60kph, meant there was little airflow and conditions were tough for drivers and hard-working engines, transmissions and suspension.

Gardemeister and Honkanen started the final leg in fifth. With no pressure from behind the Finns took no risks but still posted two fastest times from the six speed tests to maintain their position. "The times might not suggest it, but I drove quite slowly today," said 30-year-old Gardemeister. "It's hard to find a good rhythm when the pace is not 100 per cent and you're driving at a speed so that you don't make a mistake. We weren't on full attack but couldn't drop our speed too much. But generally we've had a good pace and it's a pity we lost time with two punctures earlier in the event.

"It's fantastic for Ford to set this points record and this was the toughest rally possible on which to do it. It's been hard on drivers and cars. It was incredibly hot and rough but I had confidence in the Focus. It felt strong and it's been nice to drive here," he added.

Kresta and Mo?ný were also in no mood to take risks. They retained sixth place throughout the final leg to match their career-best result, set on the previous round in Sardinia just two weeks ago. "This is the hardest rally I've ever driven, apart from the Safari Rally in Kenya which is unlike any other event," said the 29-year-old Czech driver. "It's been tough for co-drivers and drivers. It was hot in the car and the stages were long and difficult. I'm pleased that I was well prepared and fit. I'm not sure how I would have coped if I wasn't fit. We scored good points and this is a great achievement for everyone in Ford."

Solberg and Menkerud started the day in third but came under pressure from Markko Märtin. When a faulty motor on their car's fly-by-wire throttle system caused the engine to stop twice in the third special stage, the 15 seconds lost looked like proving decisive. Although Solberg retaliated during the final loop of tests, he could not catch Märtin. However, fourth is a career-best result.

"I tried so hard to regain the time," said Solberg. "We took a gamble with our tyres this afternoon to try to catch Markko but it didn't work out. But I'm not disappointed with fourth, I'm really happy. My previous best result was fifth. Now I've finished fourth, so next it will be a podium! It's been such a hard weekend. I feel much fitter now after spending three days driving in this heat!"

Points scoring finishes ? driver contribution to the record:

The Ford team have scored 384 world championship points with a combination of eleven different crews in four seasons:

News from our Rivals

Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) extended his world championship lead with his third consecutive victory. He finished with a lead of 4min 09.5sec having posted 12 fastest times from the 16 stages run competitively. Private entrant Manfred Stohl was a surprise second, ahead of the consistent Markko Märtin (Peugeot). Behind the Ford trio, Harri Rovanperä (Mitsubishi) took seventh, despite his steering wheel working loose in the opening stage, while privateer Daniel Carlsson took the final drivers' points after overhauling Janne Tuohino's (Skoda) overheating car on the penultimate stage. Ninth, 10th and 11th were sufficient for Tuohino, Chris Atkinson (Subaru) and Gilles Panizzi (Mitsubishi) to claim the final manufacturers' points.

Next round

The championship remains in the eastern Mediterranean for round seven. The Rally of Turkey, another hot weather, rough road event, is based in Kemer on 2 - 5 June.

Final positions ? Cyprus Rally
1. S Loeb (Fra) / D Elena (Mon) - Citroen Xsara 5hr 02min 29.4sec
2. M Stohl (Aut) / I Minor (Aut) - Citroen Xsara +4:09.5
3. M Märtin (Est) / M Park (GB) - Peugeot 307 +4:41.9
4. H Solberg (Nor) / C Menkerud (Nor) - Ford Focus RS +5:15.7
5. T Gardemeister (Fin) / J Honkanen (Fin) - Ford Focus RS +7:37.3
6. R Kresta (Cz) / J Mo?ný (Cz) - Ford Focus RS +10:17.4
7. H Rovanperä (Fin) / R Pietilainen (Fin) - Mitsubishi Lancer +12:18.7
8. D Carlsson (Swe) / M Andersson (Swe) - Peugeot 206 +16:03.2

FIA World Rally Championship (after round 6 of 16)
Drivers
1. S Loeb 45pts
2. P Solberg 34pts
3. M Märtin 34pts
4. T Gardemeister 28pts
5. M Grönholm 26pts
6. H Rovanperä 13pts

Manufacturers
1. Peugeot 62pts
2. Citroen 53pts
3. Ford 44pts
4. Subaru 38pts
5. Mitsubishi 29pts
6. Skoda 8pts

For further information contact:
Mark Wilford
Media Coordinator
Ford Rallye Sport
Phone: +357 25 774200
Mobile: +44 7770 756214
Email: mwilford@ford.com

Ben Beazley
Media Coordinator
Ford Racing Australia
Phone: 03 9359 8190
Mobile: 0417 262 753
Email: benb@global-marketing.com

Further information and high-resolution images relating to Ford Racing Australia can also be found at : media.ford.com

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