Ford showcases Focus RS Rallycross development

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In an informative new video series, Ford Performance has revealed how the team worked together to optimize key elements of the vehicle’s design, including the wing, suspension, driveshaft and cockpit.

Development for the Rallycross car took just under nine months and was a unique challenge for the team, which comprised members from the Ford Performance, M-Sport, and Hoonigan Racing Division.

The crew worked together to optimize the key elements of the vehicle’s design, including the wing, suspension, driveshaft and cockpit.

For the wing, more than 100 iterations were tested using CFD. The suspension of the Focus RS RX was evaluated on a kinematics and compliance rig. Using FEA, the Ford Performance team created a heat map of the potential stresses on the driveshaft of the vehicle to determine the best design.

Finally, drawing on decades of racing experience, personalized cockpits were created for both Ken Block and Andreas Bakkerud based on their preferences, with the goal of reducing gear-shift time and increasing speed.

The two drivers are due to compete in the second round of the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship this weekend at Montalegre, Portugal.

Watch the videos here.

April 21, 2017

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John joined UKi Media & Events in 2012 and has worked across a range of B2B titles within the company's automotive, marine and entertainment divisions. Currently editor of Automotive Testing Technology International, Crash Test Technology International and Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology International, John co-ordinates the day-the-day operations of each magazine, from commissioning and writing to editing and signing-off, as well managing web content. Aside from the magazines, John also serves as co-chairman of the annual Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards and can be found sniffing out stories throughout the halls of several of UKI's industry-leading expo events.




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