By Amanda Little

Last updated 12:51, Thursday, 18 December 2008

FORD rally boss Malcolm Wilson today insisted the credit crunch will not force the Cumbria-based team to quit the World Rally Championship.

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Rivals Subaru yesterday ended their 20-year involvement in the WRC, citing the global economic downturn for their decision, with the news coming just one day after Suzuki also announced that they are to quit the competition.

The shattering withdrawal left the WRC with just two manufacturers in the sport – Ford and reigning champions Citroen.

Ford insist they remain strongly committed to rallying – a major boost for Wilson’s 212-strong M-Sport workforce which builds and prepares rally cars at his headquarters at Dovenby Hall, near Cockermouth.

Wilson, who guided Ford to back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007, insists the withdrawal of the two Japanese manufacturers will do nothing to undermine the competitiveness of the WRC.

He said: “We’re disappointed to see Subaru and Suzuki go out of WRC but from Ford’s point of view we made a commitment and we’re optimistic going forward.

“It’s not pleasant losing teams in this situation but Ford is still committed to the future of the WRC.

“Ford has a long tradition in the sport but now it has to have a good business case to stay involved bearing in mind the financial situation we are in.

“The WRC represents good value for Ford and they feel it is one of the best ways of demonstrating their products in a successful way.

“We also have good partners in BP and Abu Dhabi and when you are in situations like the current economic climate you need all the funds you can get.

“If you look at the last three years, all the rallies have been won by ourselves and Citroen so there will still be a big battle between us. If you look at most motorsport disciplines there are two teams battling it out so it won’t make it any less competitive.”

Wilson’s M-Sport operation won the deal to run Ford’s campaign for the start of 1997 and celebrated its most successful WRC season in 2006, with Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen winning eight rallies between them and earning Ford the manufacturers’ title.

In 2007 the team repeated the feat, with another eight wins and another manufacturers’ title, but this year had to settle for second place behind Citroen.