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RALLY: British Pumas Set for Formula Rally Battles

12 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

BIRMINGHAM, England- Rapid Fit, the Ford Motor Company's 'walk-in' fast-fit dealership service operation, is supporting a team of two Ford Puma Super 1600 rally cars, prepared and operated by Boreham-based Ford Racing, in Britain's new eight-round Formula Rally series for 2001.

Close competition for the 2001 Formula Rally title between manufacturer teams is expected, and the quality of the crews chosen to drive the Rapid Fit-supported Puma Super 1600s reflects this. French driver Patrick Magaud and his co-driver Guylne Brun have class-winning event experience in similar Puma rally cars in 1999 and 2000. The second Rapid Fit Puma will be piloted by 1998 British Rally Champion Martin Rowe, also class-winner with Puma in 2000, co-driven by the experienced Briton, Chris Wood.

Last year, Rowe worked closely with Boreham, Essex-based Ford Racing to develop the 1600cc Puma rally car, and Ford Racing will prepare and run the Rapid Fit-supported Puma Super 1600s throughout the 2001 Formula Rally series. Like the official Ford Focus RS World Rally Cars, the Rapid Fit Puma Super 1600s will run on Pirelli tyres, as will Ford Racing's 'one-make' Ka Rally and Puma 1400 Championships, which also contest the Formula Rally series of events.

The Puma Super 1600 is a close derivative of the Puma Kit Car, campaigned with success by Magaud and Rowe last year. Super 1600 is a new FIA car category for 2001, designed primarily to provide private drivers with a showcase championship within the World Rally Championship from which works team managers will be able to view new driving talent.

Specific 'restrictions' in the Super 1600 technical regulations are aimed squarely at blocking possible cost escalations. However, the performance of a 2001 Super 1600 car compared to that of a 1600cc car built to the Kit Car regulations is not strikingly inferior. Engineering Manager, Ford Racing, Philip Dunabin explains:

"As the top category for the Formula Rally series, Super 1600 is particularly apt, serving Ford's rallying Ladder of Opportunity philosophy as a British rally series from which successful drivers can aspire logically to driving in the World Rally Championship."

The Formula Rally 2001 series of eight one-day rallies will be televised on Channel 4 and Sky, and Rapid Fit will be supporting its cars with on-event promotions.

Text Provided By Mark Wilford

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