COLOGNE, Germany, April 15, 2016 – The new 600 horsepower Ford Focus RS RX debuts this weekend piloted by factory-backed team Hoonigan Racing Division in the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Portugal.
America’s Ken Block and Norway’s Andreas Bakkerud will race the Ford Focus RS RX at the season opener at Bompiso Rallycross of Portugal, which takes place in the picturesque town of Montalegre located in the hills of the Vila region.
The circuit presents a unique challenge for both drivers and engineers: at 1800 metres above sea level it is the highest event on the World RX calendar and engines need to be finely tuned to deal with the high altitude.
Featuring all-wheel drive and a 0-60 mph launch time of less than two seconds, the Focus RS RX vehicles are optimised for rallycross battle. The Focus RS RX development was a global collaboration between Ford Performance, Block’s Hoonigan Racing Division and U.K.-based M‑Sport.
Twenty-three supercars each equipped with a staggering 600 horsepower will go head-to-head in Portugal over four qualifying sessions, two semi-finals, and one final. The team starts in Portugal fresh out of a test at Kirkbride airfield in Cumbria, U.K.
The Focus RS RX cars will qualify on Saturday April 16 from 14:00-15:45 CET and the semi- finals take place on Sunday April 17 at 10:30 and 11:30 CET. Sunday’s final will be at 15:00 CET.
Meanwhile the Ford GT will also be making its European debut at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, U.K., in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday April 16 from 12:50-13:10 CET, and the 6-hour race starts on Sunday April 17 at 13:00 CET.
Follow the teams on Ford Performance social media for updates:
Footage of the first Focus RS RX test with Ken Block can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKGngRbKiTw
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Editor’s notes:
FIA World Rallycross Championship Calendar:
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Mich. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
