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Multimatic to build Ford Focus Daytona Prototype

Ford Racing, Multimatic and Robert Yates to cooperate on development. DEARBORN, MI (July 16, 2002) - Canadian-based engineering organization Multimatic has completed an agreement with Ford Racing Technology to be the exclusive constructor of the ...

Published: Jul 17, 2002, 4:19 PM

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Ford Racing, Multimatic and Robert Yates to cooperate on development.

DEARBORN, MI (July 16, 2002) - Canadian-based engineering organization Multimatic has completed an agreement with Ford Racing Technology to be the exclusive constructor of the Ford Focus Daytona Prototype race car. Daytona Prototypes will be the name of the major championship class featured in the Rolex Sports Car Series beginning in 2003. The Daytona Prototype coupe is a flat-bottomed two-seat, closed cockpit, mid-engine automobile with a complete frame (non-stressed engine).

Multimatic has been working on the design and development of the car for over four months, but has delayed publicly revealing the details of the project until the Ford Racing partnership was completed. The car will be powered by a Robert Yates developed Ford modular V8 and will carry brand identification from the extremely popular Ford Focus world car. Ford Racing will lend technical support to the project and will direct the development of the new modular-based racing engine.

Multimatic has a strong relationship with Ford Motor Company and recently received its Gold World Excellence Award, recognizing the company as one of the OEM's top nine global suppliers for 2001 performance. Multimatic Motorsports has enjoyed a long and successful racing history with Ford Motor Company that includes being the first team in the world to race and win with the four cam, four valve modular V8 engine. These engines were used in Multimatic's highly successful Coca-Cola Mustangs that captured eight of nine poles, five lap records and won the Motorola Cup manufacturer's championship for Ford in 1999.

Multimatic's Vice President of Engineering Larry Holt comments: "We decided that the new Daytona Prototype formula was an excellent opportunity for us to exploit our engineering expertise in motorsports, and history dictated that we should do it in partnership with Ford Racing. I am thrilled that they have agreed to participate and that Robert Yates has been chosen to undertake the modular engine development. The Ford Focus Daytona Prototype will undoubtedly be the car to beat in the 2003 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series."

Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology, adds: "We're excited to be working with Multimatic on this new race car program since they have proven themselves as both a valued supplier to Ford, and a successful sports car racing team. Ford Racing's goal, besides seeing a good number of these Focus prototype cars on the track, is to help develop the modular V8, with help from Robert Yates, into a highly competitive customer racing engine. We see the Ford Focus Daytona Prototype program as a great test bed and proving ground for this product."

Roger Edmondson, President of Grand American Road Racing Association concludes: "A hundred years ago, Henry Ford started building cars for the American people and created a company that set the standard for an industry. Today, Grand American has set out to build a sports car racing series for the American people. Having Ford Racing recognize our vision and make the commitment they are making today puts them once again at the front of the field, a visionary organization with its finger on the pulse of the American psyche."

The Multimatic developed and built Ford Focus Daytona Prototype will test in October and its competition debut will be the 2003 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Cars will be run by an in-house team as well as being made available to customers. Details of the design configuration, price and availability will be released in the near future.

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