Ford's entry into the 2000 WRC season was the 2 litre Turbo 6 speed four wheel drive Focus RS replacing the longest running rally car to date - the Ford Escort. The car had been developed during the 1999 season and Ford had high expectations for the coming season. Ex-Ford works driver Malcolm Wilson was given the envious task of replacing the Escort and only had a short time to do it, in fact only a number of weeks prior to the season's first event - the Monte Carlo Rally.

For long periods it looked like the car would not be ready and Ford would not be competing in the opening showcase event, however with only days to spare the car was finished and Ford announced that it would be competing in the event. After a promising start the car's first victory came at the third event of the season and the most toughest of the calendar at that - the Safari Rally. Winning the Safari Rally only increased the team's expectations as well as that of the public, but despite lots of promise and competitive starts to many of the season's rallies the car failed to deliver any further victories, suffering numerous reliability problems. Despite the team's difficulties drivers' Carlos Sainz finished third and Colin McRae fourth in the drivers' standings, Ford finished 2nd overall in the Constructors Championship.

Click above for build and completed pictures