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Ford of Europe revealed the exciting new look for its 2008 FIA
World Rally Championship campaign as the team was unveiled at the Autosport
International Show in Birmingham.
The Focus RS World Rally Car, which powered Ford to the
manufacturers' world title in both 2006 and 2007, sports a striking modern
livery that took centre stage today at Europe's largest annual motorsport
exhibition. It was also announced that the squad will be named the BP Ford Abu
Dhabi World Rally Team for 2008.
The team's new driver line-up of Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti
Latvala were joined by Ford of Europe's new motorsport director, Mark Deans, and
team director Malcolm Wilson as they revealed the Focus RS WRC's colour scheme
for the first time.
"The Focus RS WRC has a new, contemporary livery which blends
perfectly with the outlook of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team," explained
Deans. "This is our first full season in partnership with BP and the Abu Dhabi
Tourism Authority and their importance to our WRC programme is reflected in the
team's new name and their prominence on the car.
"Of course, there is far more to a successful WRC campaign
than the colour of the car and the name of the team. But in the few weeks since
I took up my new role as motorsport director I have seen enough to convince me
that we are again capable of being fully competitive in 2008. We have a dynamic,
young driver line-up supported by one of the most enthusiastic and hard-working
teams in motorsport at M-Sport and I look forward to a year that I'm confident
will be a successful one," he added.
Deans also sprung a surprise on Wilson, presenting him with a
replica of the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship's manufacturers' trophy on
behalf of Ford of Europe. "That was a fantastic gesture and one that I really
appreciated," said Wilson. "It brought back the memories of what a remarkable
year 2007 was for Ford in the WRC.
"But that is history and we're now fully focused on the 2008
season. In Mikko and Jari-Matti we have two young drivers who are hungry for
competition but also have experience that belies their years and I'm looking
forward to watching them develop further during the season. Abu Dhabi's Khalid
Al Qassimi has a comprehensive programme of 10 events in a third Focus RS WRC
and I hope to see him gain further in both experience and confidence during the
year," added Wilson.
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