GRR

Video: Watching a Focus WRC being hooned never gets old

24th August 2020
Laura Thomson

The first-gen Ford Focus WRC may not be the most dramatic looking of all Ford rally cars, but it certainly wasn’t lacking in the power department. In fact, it boasts one of the fruitiest exhaust notes we’ve heard for a while, and thanks to this brilliant, quarter-hour compilation, you can enjoy it too.

M-Sport unveiled the model in 1999 as a replacement for the Ford Escort WRC, with the rally car derived from the Ford Focus Climate-package 2.0-litre road car. Despite its potent performance leading to several near-wins, the model never actually took the drivers or manufacturers title.

Three cars (in various liveries) share the spotlight in this brilliant video, comprising two ex-works cars and one privateer vehicle. Of the two ex-works models, one was driven by Colin McRae and Petter Solberg, whereas the other was piloted by Carlos Sainz Sr.
Watch in awe as they accelerate, crackle and growl at various historic rallies between 2013 and 2018, and thank YouTuber 19Bozzy92 for his unwavering dedication to motorsport.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Experience a pre‑war Bugatti race with a 360‑degree view

  • Video

  • Elevenses

  • Ford

  • Focus

  • WRC

  • Rally

  • Historic rally

BOOK NOW

2025 Motorsport tickets now on sale
Video Alt Text
ford-focus-wrc-anti-lag-drift-exhaust-rally-video-goodwood-24082020.jpg

Historic

Video: Watching a Focus WRC being hooned never gets old

24th August 2020

mcrae-focus.jpg

Historic

Video: From 007 to rally heaven

19th November 2021

colin-mcrae-pedal-cam-onboard-video-ford-focus-wrc-goodwood-31072020.jpg

Historic

Video: Watch Colin McRae’s feet dance

31st July 2020

matt-reeve-batman-batmobile-2020-goodwood.jpg

Historic

20 years ago, the World Rally Car saved the WRC

01st June 2017

carlos_sainz_rally_gb_1998_goodwood_24112017_video_play.jpg

Historic

On this day in... 1998

24th November 2017

robert-kubica-fiesta-rally-test-video-goodwood-04102021.jpg

Historic

Video: Robert Kubica hurling a rally car down a rutted road

04th October 2021

ford-escort-wrc-97-elevenses.jpg

Historic

Video: Glorious Escort WRC anti-lag

13th January 2021

elevenses-hyundai-accent-wrc.jpg

Historic

Video: Hyundai’s first WRC car sounds incredible

19th January 2023