FORD

The legendary 300 hp Ford Focus WRC winner of the Cyprus and Sweden rallies in 2000/2001 is for sale

Without any prior announcement or major headlines, one of the most iconic cars in the World Rally Championship (WRC) has returned to the scene. This is the Ford Focus WRC with which Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya won the 2000 Cyprus Rally, which has just been put up for sale in the United Kingdom. The news has shaken the motorsport world because it is not a replica or a show car, but the original model, with an official history in the World Championship and a pedigree that very few competition vehicles can boast. This car was not only the weapon with which Sainz won his last victory with Ford, but also the same one with which Colin McRae gave a driving lesson in the frigid 2001 Swedish Rally.

The car, identified by its famous V6 FMC license plate, is part of the mythology of the World Rally Championship (WRC). Those three letters will sound familiar to any fan who followed the golden age of the WRC between the late 90s and early 2000s, when Ford, Subaru, and Mitsubishi competed in every stage with legendary drivers. In the case of the V6 FMC, it debuted in March 2000 at the Rally Catalunya, where Sainz and Moya took third place; then, second place at the Acropolis Rally; and finally, the glorious overall victory in Cyprus, with a lead of more than 37 seconds over McRae. It was the Spanish driver's third and final victory with Ford before his last stint with Citroën.

Cosworth engine...The story of the Ford Focus RS WRC began a year earlier, in 1999, as a secret project codenamed C170. Derived from the production Focus (a model already renowned for its chassis and structural rigidity), the rally car featured a turbocharged 1.6 16V Ford Zetec-E engine, developed by Cosworth, which delivered around 300 hp transmitted to all four wheels via an active all-wheel drive system. Weighing approximately 1,230 kg, the Focus became a benchmark for agility on winding roads and mechanical reliability.

In the Ford team, led by Malcolm Wilson, Sainz brought experience and precision, while McRae (who had been hired for over three million euros per season) contributed passion. Together, they made the Focus WRC one of the most beloved cars by fans, both for its results and for the excitement its drivers brought to each event.

It seems incredible, but this car remained in service for almost four years, an unusual feat for a high-level racing car. After his time with Sainz, he returned to action in 2001 with McRae and Nicky Grist at the Rally Sweden, an edition remembered for its extreme temperatures and endless snowbanks. There, the Scotsman delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career. In stages five and six, the FMC V6 recorded the fastest overall times, confirming that it remained competitive against the more modern chassis.

However, on one of the fastest sections, McRae scraped the car on an unstable snowbank and went off the track. With the help of dozens of Swedish spectators, the Focus was brought back onto the track, although the gearbox was stuck in sixth gear. Even so, McRae managed to finish in ninth place, demonstrating a driving skill that is still remembered in the annals of the World Rally Championship.

From hand to hand...After the 2001 season, the car continued to compete with different teams and drivers. Italian Paolo Andreucci and his co-driver Anna Andruessi successfully used it until 2002, achieving several notable results in national championships. That same year, the Focus passed into the hands of Norwegian Valter Jensen, a veteran of Nordic rallies, who kept it for over two decades, participating in historic events and national rallies until 2004. Throughout this time, the FMC V6 remained virtually untouched, retaining its original factory specifications and being meticulously maintained under the supervision of M-Sport technicians.

Now, after almost 25 years, the car has returned to the UK and is for sale with complete documentation: original purchase invoice from M-Sport, export documents, official correspondence, and a detailed maintenance history. It also includes a recently serviced engine with less than 100 km on the clock, an extra set of wheels, the distinctive auxiliary night lights, and a spare parts package valued at over €115,000, available separately. The car recently underwent a complete overhaul by Neil Buckley of Dom Buckley Motorsport, who confirmed its impeccable mechanical condition after a full service, including belt and fluid changes and a safety check.

The asking price has not yet been officially released, but it is estimated that a car with this pedigree could easily exceed €600,000, especially considering it is a car with two world championship wins by two world champions. For Spanish and British collectors and enthusiasts, the appeal is clear. It's not every day that a car with the DNA of Carlos Sainz and the legacy of Colin McRae hits the market.

by Autonews