History 1990s

Ford Focus WRC

Overview

Introduced midway through the 1999 WRC season, the Ford Focus WRC marked a significant turning point in Ford’s rally program. Replacing the Escort WRC, it was developed by MSport around the brand-new Focus road car platform. With aggressive styling, advanced suspension, and modern electronics, the car was designed from the ground up to meet World Rally Car specifications. It immediately demonstrated speed and potential with Colin McRae behind the wheel.


Technical Specs & Innovations

The Focus WRC introduced a more compact and balanced chassis compared to the Escort, with improved weight distribution, responsive steering, and a robust powertrain tuned for varied stage conditions.


🏆 Competitive Highlights

  • 1999 Safari Rally Winner — Colin McRae claimed a maiden win early in the car’s development cycle.
  • 1999 Rally Portugal Winner — Back-to-back victories proved the Focus WRC was ready to contend at the highest level.
  • Though it debuted late in the decade, the Focus WRC made an instant impact and laid the groundwork for Ford’s WRC resurgence in the 2000s.

The Focus WRC’s performance helped Ford stay competitive into the 21st century and became a key milestone in MSport’s continued factory success.


Driving Characteristics

The Focus WRC offered excellent chassis balance and predictable handling. It was well-suited to fast gravel events and excelled on rough stages like Safari. Drivers praised its suspension articulation and composure at high speeds, while advanced diffs provided traction and precision.


Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.