Mexico: Special preparation at Ford

During the second round of the World Rally Championship, this weekend in Mexico, competitors will complete timed special stages, some of which are at an altitude of around 2700 meters. Under these conditions, the engines lose around 20% of their power. “ Altitude is the biggest challenge in Mexico », confirms Tim Jackson, engineer from Latvala, on the site of WRC.

Pour garantir une préparation ad-hoc de ses 1,6 litres turbo, l?équipe M-Sport a passé deux jours au Dunton Technical Center, un laboratoire appartenant à Ford. Et comme rien ne vaut le test du terrain, l?équipe officielle a récemment validé le moteur en configuration « Mexique » lors d?une séance d?essais au Portugal. Au cours de laquelle Latvala a crashé sa Fiesta, mettant ainsi terme au roulage?

Manhandled by Citroën since 2006 on this route traced around Leon, 400 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, Ford is also counting on its new six-speed gearbox, instead of a five-speed on the old Focus, to try to reduce the gap on the double chevron firm. “ The torque of the old engine was so great that you could exit a corner without being in the right gear, Jackson continues. But with an engine that runs higher in the revs, you need to be able to use maximum power all the time. This is essential at altitude ».