• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Fiesta ST Forum and Fiesta ST community dedicated to Fiesta ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Fiesta ST Forum today!


Ford Performance - 600hp Focus RS RX / 2016 FIA World Rallycross Race Updates

BoostBumps

4000 Post Club
Staff Member
Messages
4,277
Likes
1,031
Location
Arizona
#1
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/03/02/...l-34/?ncid=edlinkusauto00000016#slide-3819416

Published March 2 2016 | AutoBlog

Ken Block will race a 600-hp Ford Focus RS in FIA rallycross


ford-focus-rs-rallycross-001-1.jpg

ford-focus-rs-rallycross-002-1.jpg

Andreas Bakkerud and Ken Block and his Hoonigan Racing Division team will use their close relationship with
Ford to enter two examples of the new Ford Focus RS Rallycross into the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship. The crew will also have full factory support from the Blue Oval, so Block should have quite a well prepared car when competition begins.

Block teased his Focus RS Rallycross briefly at the end of Gymkhana 8 Details about it are still thin, but the all-wheel drive racecar's 600-horsepower EcoBoost eingine can rocket the machine to 60 miles per hour in less than 2 seconds.


In January, Block signed as Ford's factory driver in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. He had previously competed in a few rounds of the European-focused series but often ran in the US-based Global RallyCross Championship. He and teammate Andreas Bakkerud were originally supposed to use Fiesta ST's for this season, but the switch to the Focus gives them a brand new vehicle to race.

"To have official factory support for my race season in 2016 and beyond as I enter the FIA World Rallycross Championship full-time is absolutely incredible," Block said in the car's competition announcement.

The FIA World Rallycross kicks off from April 15-17 in Portugal, and the only round of the series in North America is at Trois-Rivières in Quebec, Canada. Even if you can't find a way to watch Block race his new Focus RS Rallycross, expect to see him doing insane stunts in it when the hatch stars in Gymkhana 9.

[HR][/HR]

http://racing.ford.com/series/rally...rd-performance-for-competition-in-2016-f.html

MAR 2, 2016 | Ford Performance Press Release

Focus RS Confirmed by Ford Performance for Competition in 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship


- Ford Focus RS will make its competition debut as Ford's factory entry in 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship

- Ken Block's Hoonigan Racing Division will field two Focus RS race cars to build on the performance marque's championship legacy

- World Rallycross Championship race car based on all-new global 2016 Ford Focus RS featuring advanced Ford Performance torque vectoring all-wheel drive

- Ken Block will be joined by Andreas Bakkerud as his teammate for 2016


DEARBORN, Mich., March 2, 2016 – Ford's RS competition legacy continues this season for a new generation of motorsports fans.

As teased in the credits of Ken Block's Gymkhana 8 released earlier this week, Ford Performance confirms Block's Hoonigan Racing Division team will field two factory-supported 2016 Ford Focus RS race cars in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

For more than 50 years, Ford Performance's Rallye Sport badge has been reserved for racing and production vehicles that push the limits of performance and innovation. Known for aggressive design and pioneering technology, Ford vehicles wearing the RS badge have seen success for decades in stage rally series including FIA World Rally Championship with drivers like Björn Waldegård, Marcus Grönholm, Mikko Hirvonen and Colin McRae.

"RS is a worldwide brand with a rich heritage that motorsports enthusiasts know and love," said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. "Our RS badge has a natural connection to racing, and we have a passionate, dedicated team on the project. We're excited to honor the history of Rallye Sport by pushing every aspect of performance and design to the limit."

The Focus RS build is a global collaboration between Ford Performance, Block's Hoonigan Racing and U.K.-based M-Sport. Featuring all-wheel drive, a new EcoBoost® engine producing 600 horsepower, and a 0-60-mph launch time of less than two seconds, Ford Focus RS Rallycross cars are optimized for competition.

Mark Rushbrook, motorsports engineering manager, Ford Performance, says the intention has been to develop a Rallycross car that lives up to the RS badge.

"We've dedicated the same level of cutting-edge tools, technical resources and engineering know-how from our Le Mans GT and NASCAR programs, and working with M-Sport brings renowned expertise in rallycross and stage rally vehicle development," said Rushbrook. "Ken, Andreas Bakkerud and Hoonigan Racing give us insight from the competition and driver perspectives. Our three organizations have a great working relationship, and we're all looking forward to seeing the Focus RS in action."

"I'm really happy that for 2016 I'm expanding my relationship with Ford and Ford Performance," said Hoonigan Racing Division's Ken Block. "To have official factory support for my race season in 2016 and beyond as I enter the FIA World Rallycross Championship full-time is absolutely incredible. It opens up a ton of powerful resources that myself and my team will be able to benefit from in terms of engineering prowess, research, development and racing experience from different fields. Plus, have you seen the car that they've created for me to go race in? My mind was blown when they showed it to me in Dearborn a few months ago. I absolutely cannot wait to get behind the wheel and start testing."

Malcolm Wilson, OBE, managing director for M-Sport, believes that together, they've produced a very special race car. "Working closely with our colleagues at Ford Performance and Hoonigan Racing Division, a huge amount of work has gone into this project," he said. "It's been an extremely exciting, rewarding venture – one we hope yields considerable success. I'm confident we have a winning formula for the season ahead."

The Focus RS Rallycross cars will debut at the FIA World Rallycross event in Portugal, April 15-17, with Block and Bakkerud behind the wheel. The global 12-race series takes place in 11 countries on three continents.

Additional information on the race cars and their development will be coming ahead of the Portugal race.
 


frankiefiesta

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,852
Likes
509
Location
forked river
#2
How do you get to 60 in under 2 seconds? Lol that's insane! Probably has that roller coaster, instant go feeling. I'd love it
 


Messages
435
Likes
108
Location
Campbell
#3
AWD, sticky tires, super close ratio sequential gear box, flat shift electronics and a bunch of power.
 


haste

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,222
Likes
1,262
Location
Eastern
#4
I think Block is going to be destroyed by all the other drivers in this series. These guys are serious. He could barely hang in Global Rallycross...
I think Bakkerud will be faster than Block.

Just a heads up for you all, you can watch all the races at the following link, live or whenever you feel like it...

http://livestream.com/fiaworldrallycross
 


OP
BoostBumps

BoostBumps

4000 Post Club
Staff Member
Messages
4,277
Likes
1,031
Location
Arizona
Thread Starter #5
Ford Focus RS RX - First Test (Video)

Published on Apr 14, 2016

Ford Performance

"Hoonigan Racing Division drivers Ken Block and Andreas Bakkerud tested the Focus RS RX for the first time in Lousada, Portugal...The pair will be debuting in the FIA World Rallycross Championship this weekend... "


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKGngRbKiTw

[video=youtube;lKGngRbKiTw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKGngRbKiTw[/video]

12998192_10153988056088820_52273167395964639_o.jpg

12983915_10153988056083820_1227738431093021504_o.jpg
 


OP
BoostBumps

BoostBumps

4000 Post Club
Staff Member
Messages
4,277
Likes
1,031
Location
Arizona
Thread Starter #6
Ken Block and Andreas Bakkerud Behind The Scenes With Ford Focus RS RX

Published on Apr 16, 2016 - Ford Performance

"Hoonigan Racing Division drivers Ken Block and Andreas Bakkerud give a behind the scenes look at the Ford Focus RS RX Supercars competing in the FIA World Rallycross Championship".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VElOpGq8FsU

[video=youtube;VElOpGq8FsU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VElOpGq8FsU[/video]

[HR][/HR]
A strong debut for the Focus RS RX Supercars in FIA World Rallycross Championship. Andreas Bakkerud took first place in one qualifying round and Ken Block took second in another. The action continues tomorrow morning in Montalegre!

13006455_10153994648518820_8889525651548885723_n.jpg
 


haste

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,222
Likes
1,262
Location
Eastern
#8
I must say, Bakkerud, did a great job for Ford in Portugal, considering the very limited amount of testing. Block, on the other hand, lol.
 


OP
BoostBumps

BoostBumps

4000 Post Club
Staff Member
Messages
4,277
Likes
1,031
Location
Arizona
Thread Starter #9
FIA World Rallycross Championship - Video Highlights from Day 1 & Day 2

I must say, Bakkerud, did a great job for Ford in Portugal, considering the very limited amount of testing. Block, on the other hand, lol.
Agreed! was a good race...Block was struggling...ha

[HR][/HR]
Day 1 Highlights: MontalegreRX - FIA World RX 2016

Published on Apr 17, 2016

Mud, glorious mud! Here are highlights from Day 1 of Montalegre RX, Round 1 of the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3xjMuXdUAg

[video=youtube;T3xjMuXdUAg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3xjMuXdUAg[/video]

[HR][/HR]
Day 2 Highlights: Montalegre RX - FIA World RX 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bwPQ0d_Syc

[video=youtube;2bwPQ0d_Syc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bwPQ0d_Syc[/video]
 


OP
BoostBumps

BoostBumps

4000 Post Club
Staff Member
Messages
4,277
Likes
1,031
Location
Arizona
Thread Starter #10
Andreas Bakkerud and the Ford Focus RS RX - First victory and makes history today!

Published on Jun 12, 2016 - Ford Performance

13403189_10154127254223820_4454453356619326653_o.jpg

focus rs rx.jpg

Andreas Bakkerud and the Ford Focus RS RX made history today. Not only was it the vehicle's first win, it was also the first time that an FIA World Rallycross Championship driver had a perfect weekend, winning all four Qualifying Rounds, the Semi Final and the Final. Bakkerud is also the first Norwegian to win the Norway round.

It only took five races for the brand new Ford Focus RS RX to win its first FIA World Rallycross Championship event. Factory-backed Hoonigan Racing Division driver Andreas Bakkerud piloted the #13 Ford Focus RS RX to the top of the podium on Sunday in Hell, Norway.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_WhaF1eUCg

[video=youtube;j_WhaF1eUCg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_WhaF1eUCg[/video]
 


haste

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,222
Likes
1,262
Location
Eastern
#11
Hell yeah. Bakkerud was amazing. I must admit the Focus looked floaty around that track but Bakkerud was amazingly smooth with it. I knew he would outperform Block...
 


Similar threads



Top