Photo: NAPA Racing UK

NAPA Racing UK to race saloon version of Ford Focus in BTCC

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NAPA Racing UK has announced that it will race a saloon version of the Ford Focus in the British Touring Car Championship from this season onwards. 

While the car is not currently sold in the United Kingdom, one element of the series’ 2027 homologation regulations (i.e. that which permits the use of cars not currently sold in the UK) has been brought forward a year, allowing the team to use the saloon version.

This was unanimously approved by all the existing teams and organisers TOCA, prior to the team embarking on the project. 

Born out of the Focus hatchback – which has guided NAPA Racing UK to a total of 36 wins and six titles since they debuted in 2022 – the front three quarters and wheel base of the new car, titled the Ford Focus Titanium, is largely similar to its predecessor.

Towards the rear, new bodywork forms a sleeker, more aerodynamic look. In addition, the team’s decision to remain with the Ford marque means that its long-standing association with engine builders Mountune can continue.

“This is an exciting time for the entire team,” said Antonio Carrozza, NAPA Racing UK Lead Engineer. “It was a lengthy process to come to this decision, such were the options we had, but we feel like the saloon version of the Focus is the way to go.

The ultimate goal is to reduce aerodynamic drag. We highlighted that as an area we wanted to address last season, and this move to a different shape allows us to do just that; there are many elements that remain the same to the car, however, there will be some fine-tuning required.

Everyone involved in this project has done a fantastic job, and now the exciting bit comes next: to head out on track and begin dialling the car into what we hope will be a championship challenger.”

Pete Osborne, Alliance Racing Team Owner, added: “I can’t wait to get going. We’ve had a very busy winter with the team behind the scenes working relentlessly on reworking the Focus into a virtually new car, one that looks stunning.

“We’ve got a good test programme scheduled in for March, where the drivers and engineers will get to work on understanding the changes to the new car. Everyone is very excited for this year, and we’ll be doing our best to get the number one back on our car.”