Rallying: Ford's assault on old order

FORD'S much-heralded crusade to break the domination of Lancia and Toyota in the World Championship takes to the road in leisurely fashion from Rheims today, writes Derick Allsop.

After the ceremonial 'concentration' run, the British-based team's challenge and the season begin in earnest on Saturday with the Monte Carlo Rally.

Their new contender, the four- wheel-drive, turbo-charged Escort Cosworth, to be driven by the Italian Miki Biasion and Francois Delecour, of France, has been five years in the making. It is shorter and more nimble than the car it succeeds, the Sierra, and Ford are optimistic it represents a genuine threat to the old order.

John Wheeler, Ford's chief rally engineer, said: 'It is a huge transition forward. I believe the Escort is ready for the Monte and that our specification is correct. Testing has gone well. We found two installation problems and have cured them. The drivers are very happy. Miki's final test covered a hard 650 kilometres without any brake problems at all.'

The 600km of mountain stages, finishing early on Wednesday, will provide a more realistic measure of the Escort's potential, of course. Snow, ice and the inevitable mischief of the spectators high on the Col de Turini lie in wait.

So, too, does the enduring excellence of Lancia and Toyota, and Ford may have to negotiate a steep learning curve before they can aspire to championship contention.

Competition this year should be intense. Mitsubishi also have a more compact new car, the Lancer, and the Subaru campaign has still to be launched.

Among the drivers, the leading names are likely to be the same, although they have changed places. Carlos Sainz, the world champion, has switched from Toyota to Lancia, while Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol have moved in the opposite direction.

Britain may just have an interest in proceedings before the season is out. Colin McRae and Subaru enter the fray in Sweden next month and can be relied upon to make their presence felt.

WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP: 21-28 Jan: Monte Carlo; 11-14 Feb: Sweden; 2-7 March: Portugal; 8-13 April: Safari (Ken); 1-5 May: Corsica; 29 May-3 June: Acropolis (Gr); 14-17 July: Argentina; 4-8 Aug: New Zealand; 25-29: 1,000 Lakes (Fin); 18-20 Sept: Australia; 10-14 Oct: San Remo (It); 1-3 Nov: Spain; 21-24: RAC (GB).