Mk1 Focus RS Development

[RS 3545]

Hi

Prodrive, Tickford what was their participation in the development of the Focus RS Mk1?

[BartFRS]

This is quoted from the Tickford Owners' Club:

It is not widely known that Tickford won the engineering contract for the research, developement and indeed to oversee production of the Mk 1 Focus RS.
Tickford made substantial modifications to the base unit, with up to 70% of the base components either uprated, re-engineered or completely redesigned. They also engineered the turbo installation which was all done at their Milton Keynes base.

Tickford did not change the body or interior layout arrangements pre-set by Ford. Production for this project was set up in Germany in close proximity to build of the base model Focus. Tickford also had the full responsibility of working closely with specialist Ford engineering and manufacturing teams to create the desired results. It was a difficult programme, due to extremely tight budgets, combined with numerous engineering challenges. Small batch, low volume parts supply for this car was a new issue with Tickford being relatively unknown in Germany, so Ford had on occasion to step in to ensure suppliers co-operated.


Focus Group workforce.jpg

[RSclassics]

Interesting news for me from Germany 😊

[RS 3545]

prodrive to participate?

[BartFRS]

Prodrive purchased all shares of Tickford in May 2001, I don't think Prodrive was involved in our RS.

[RS 3545]

with m-sport, prodrive, tickford, for his real serial car rally focus rs mk1

[BartFRS]

We sure have a special car, even Colin McRae tested it's settings and suspension.

[Clayton]

Prodrive purchased all shares of Tickford in May 2001, I don't think Prodrive was involved in our RS.

Prodrive was involved with the development who tested the pre-production cars. One of the test mules they had (Silver Focus RS) lost fluid on the road and lost control and crashed, had to be rebuilt overnight by a WRC team. Was told of this from a good source who was involved with the development and worked for Tickford.

[BartFRS]

Great to know, thanks Clay.
They only had 1 silver RS, is that correct?

[S1 RST]

Very nice movie of some electronic sort of ESP system that prodrive mae and tested on our cars, although i have never seen any RS with it??

[Clayton]

Certainly was a Silver Focus RS test mule Bart which I have the vin number for and is listed as Silver from factory. Has since been scrapped.


The car was a LHD car and allocated for Germany so maybe used for overseas testing more? Unfortunately there has never been any pictures seen of this car.


Focus 1998-2005, 2.0L Zetec-E EFI (HC), Moondust Silver

Registration: X927 YOO

Build date: 02.08.2000

[R222 USH]

I have heard and MAY be wrong , that Cosworth were involved within the production helping of the ST170 and Our FRS engines..!! Hope someone could share light on this?

[RS 3545]

the work carried out around was done internally, and no longer with the cosworth's assistance, now in the lap of audi at that time. The arrangements are inspired by some solutions chosen by the ford rallye sport team on the engine of focus wrc.

[Nemo]

I have heard and MAY be wrong , that Cosworth were involved within the production helping of the ST170 and Our FRS engines..!! Hope someone could share light on this?

I can confirm that Cosworth Mahle were involved in the development of the ST170 engine, my mate worked on it. Can't comment on their involvement in the RS though.