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Ford withdrew its involvement with World RX for the season 2018, focusing on the development of electric rallycross cars. Ford’s entire policy assumes electrification of passenger car and delivery vehicle models. This tendency is also visible in the approach to car sports (except WRC). Nobody expected a change in 2019! Meanwhile, STARD announced Ford Performance support. That’s more than good for World RX!
Ford Performance initially provided technical assistance to OlsbergsMSE in international rallycross, a partnership that included winning the World RX teams’ title in 2014. For 2016-17 Ford gave its official support to Ken Block’s Hoonigan Racing Division squad.
STARD – innovation from Austria
Ford is one of the marques linked with possible involvement World RX’s planned 2021 electric switch, while STARD is the producer of the first publicly aired twin-motor, four-wheel drive electric rallycross prototype.
“For 2019 we took the decision to develop a completely new car, which also gave us the chance to choose a new platform” said STARD CEO Michael Sakowicz.
Just 10% of the components used in STARD’s previous-generation Fiesta are being carried over onto the new car, which includes an all-new engine.
Sakowicz: “Due to the FIA technical regulation, the base road car´s specification has a significant influence on the race car development, so it is very important to make the right choice at the beginning. Based on our experience with the previous generation Fiesta, and a very careful investigation we believe that the latest Ford Fiesta ST is perfect base for a successful Rallycross Supercar.”
Completely new SuperCar
Sakowicz: “We know quite well what benefits it has to run an entire vehicle development project with the manufacturer´s involvement as this was the case in 90% of our projects so far. The WRX project was one of few exceptions where we have been without support from a manufacturer. We still achieved a fantastic result, finishing the 2018 season as best placed private project leaving many bigger scale projects behind us. The support from Ford Performance definitely is a game changer for us. We can apply processes in the development and race activity and also support our customers in a way which is only possible if you are cooperating with the manufacturer. Therefore we have high expectations for our new car in the WRX environment. We are very thankful and happy about the new situation and I also see it as confirmation and reward for the team´s hard work throughout the recent years.”
While the key technical partners and global technical concept of the car remain unchanged for 2019, around 90% of the components will be new developments with just a few carry-over parts from the car used last year. Some of the technical highlights are a completely new engine, and entire Bodyshell.
,,We have high expectations that we are able to offer a perfectly balanced customer RX supercar in terms of cost to performance which on top is highly customer friendly.”
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