Tim Blackwell-Chin was inspired to buy a Ford Focus RS by a certain rally car. So guess what he did next?
What do you do for a living?
I’m a property manager, with jobs that range from hospitality to exotic gardening.
What are you driving?
A 2011 Ford Focus RS (Mk2) WRC replica.
So it started out as a standard road car?
I have had this car since new. It was one of 10 that were imported and sold here in New Zealand, before Ford NZ decided it was a good idea to get in on the act, and one of the few in white.
I sold the family Focus XR5 turbo (also a big car) and met the dealer in Taupo (he was bringing the car to me from Palmerston North), before returning to Hawke’s Bay for the RS. That was driving!
Why this example?
In 2010, Jari-Matti Latvala drove the Focus WRC to victory here in NZ, and I saw the car and loved it. When Ford released the Mk2 Focus RS recently (here in NZ) I had to have one.
What made you change such a great car?
It has now done over 100,000 kilometers [160,000km]. A few years ago I hit a parking bollard and broke the front bumper really badly (they are very low and hit all but the flattest driveways).
After recovering from a heart attack I found knowing how much it would cost to replace a front bumper and associated parts, I found a company in the UK that made WRC bumpers and spoilers and there was no stopping me.
It all came just before the 2020 national shutdown, so paneling became my job. I just had to, because having my own car that inspired me to buy it was what I wanted.
Who is your all-time favorite WRC driver, and why?
It is very close to singing. Years ago, during Rally NZ, I was working in a hotel in Auckland. I met a lot of drivers during this time and remember Richard Burns, Colin McRae, Tommi Makinen and Marcus Gronholm not only great drivers, but amazing people.
What has been changed in the car?
The question should be ‘what hasn’t been changed?’ Suspension, brakes, intake, exhaust, interior, exterior (spoilers), WRC components, you name it… even the wheels have been changed.
The body and overall appearance of the car is what makes it special to me. Everything in front of the A-pillar has been modified or modified to replicate the 2010 Focus WRC, driven to victory in NZ by Jari-Matti Latvala; I hope one day I can take him to sign a car somewhere.
The front and rear bumpers are UK vintage, as is the rear spoiler. The hood is a Focus WRC. The bonnet is based on the 1.6-litre Focus station wagon which the WRCs have added to it. The rear spoiler is attached to the rear windshield with a glue used by sailing teams; it didn’t go over 150mph [240km/h]it is safe to assume that it is not coming out.
Custom injectors, boost pressure, fuel pump, all intake pipes are replaced with solid aluminum with heavy duty round brackets. Current power is 380-400hp [280-300kW], and more coming soon. Surprisingly, the car still has its original handle.
It handles beautifully, with tarmac-spec brakes front and rear, Pagid tarmac rally pads. They work from the cold and bite more when they are hot; I cannot recommend them enough.
Suspension is XYZ ClubSport, with adjustable front and rear wishbones and camber. The engine mounts are hard urethane, giving the car a very “farm” feel.
What is your favorite car part?
The original 2010 Focus WRC had stickers above the headlights and bumper based on this look, as the Focus RS (Mk2.5) had just been released, but M-Sport was still using the Focus’ blank shells to produce the Focus. WRC.
The front of the car in front of the A pillar is white WRC, as close as we can get to the real thing to use the road without spending a month on the real WRC papers (which this car does not have), or go. very much. The front wheels of the WRC go up like a bonnet. The light sound is an obvious feature that is always accurate and an integral part of the overall WRC package; I can’t imagine a car without it.
Anything you don’t like about it?
I want the OZ Racing alloy wheels and alloy sidewall tires to knock the rally look out of the park, but they won’t fit the brakes, and would be a waste to drive every day.
The back spoiler is my pet peeve, too. It’s a replica and I’d like to have the original M-Sport rear spoiler to complete the look. But they are very hard to find, and if I could find one it would cost about 10k dollars to drive.
What do you always have in your car?
The car won’t go without me in it, or very close to it. Driving gloves for the steering wheel of suede, a small enough wheel, and other accessories.
Is it an internal standard?
The seats and dash are standard, but that will change soon. No rally car would be complete without a cage of some sort, and it would mean I could do club events like hill climbs or twisty sprints and use the car for what it was designed for – go fast, look good, and make more. of noise.
The car is equipped with a Terratrip radio and headphones, along with a CB radio, an integrated Android trip meter, and a full-size steering wheel (if available).
No money, what is your dream car and why?
BMW E30 M3. Not too much, but a halo car in the right hands can punch well above its weight. After seeing the E30 tearing around Bathurst and taking it to the V8s (when Bathurst is well run, and several classes in the Great Race together) I’ve been wanting one. I would buy one while it’s still cheap.
Maybe an obvious question, but what time is the WRC, and the car?
It’s 1990s Group A for me: lots of great cars and drivers, before airplanes and technology. The Subaru vs Mitsubishi vs Ford vs Toyota battle was at the core of the ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ philosophy that has been a bit of a backlog lately.
But after that, the Focus WRC in this livery was a classic (one of the best liveries, I think), and a race-winning car too.
Have you ever been stopped by anyone, whether by the public or the police?
All of them! I’ve been stopped by police giving warrants and checks a few times (one constable even asked for photos and was one of them), and people stop and ask if they can take photos all the time.
It’s a great thing to share with all kinds of people, from elementary school kids to retirees – they all seem to love it. People wave and cry in the street, taking pictures and videos.
I think for most people it looks very realistic, so it’s nice to know that we’ve made a really good comparison. I love it when people go looking for a cage; it means we cheated them!
The OE Recaro seats are comfortable and practical. I would go as far as to say that they will have very expensive car seats.
The switch is a part of the show that I have been helping to create. Not only does it bring out the inside of the assembly but it allows for a bit of movement in the upper part near the steering wheel, and it looks amazing. I never tire of changing gears!
What are your future plans for that?
I’ve started collecting parts and doing research to build a 4WD conversion later this year. It is one thing that I feel Ford could have added to this car to improve handling, handling, handling, etc. It shares the underpinnings and chassis with the Volvos of the time, so it’s fairly straightforward, although we added our own touch. make it more special.
It would be nice to add some sort of stable to accommodate club events such as hill climbs and steeplechase sprints, but this could be agreed upon by the family. For now, we’re just enjoying it as it is.
#Car #Ford #Focus #WRC #inspiration
