Ford will be operating a comprehensive programme of rally sport in 2002, from the FIA World Rally Championship with Ford Focus RS WRC cars, through Junior World and National championships with Ford Puma Super 1600 cars to the grass-roots of rallying with the Ford Ka, Ford will be aiming to enhance its reputation as a winning marque.

Driving for Ford in 2002 are Colin McRae and Carlos Saintz.

Double world champions Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya and 1995 title holder Colin McRae with co-driver Nicky Grist will join forces for the third season to head the Ford challenge in new and improved Focus RS World Rally Cars. For all 14-rounds of the world championship, they will be joined by Estonia’s Markko Martin and his British co-driver Michael Park, regarded as among rallying’s stars of the future.

Sainz, whose car will carry number four, and McRae, who will be number five, will be the Ford Rallye Sport team’s two nominated drivers for the season. However under the new championship rules Martin, whose Focus will carry number six, will also be eligible to score points for both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships on each round.

All three Focus RS cars will be built and run by M-Sport, the British-based team which has operated Ford’s world championship programme since 1997.