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RALLY: Ford Focus Rally Car gets Green Light from the FIA

22 December 1998

The all-new Ford Focus World Rally Car has received the official green light from the FIA technical scrutineers to contest the 1999 FIA World Rally Championship.

The homologation process, which all new rally cars must go through, was completed at the Ford World Rally teams UK development base in Bedfordshire on Friday afternoon.

Despite recent speculation, the only concern was over aspects of the water pump and in conjunction with the FIA, Ford is formulating a solution to this matter.

"Testing the Focus rally car in Norway went very well," enthused Britains Colin McRae speaking from his Scottish home. The Ford teams leading driver for 1999 added: "The Focus felt really good on snow and I cant wait to get to France to try the car on asphalt this week. While Im eager to drive the Focus again, Im also keen to get back home in good time for Christmas and see my new baby daughter Hollie, who was born just two days ago."