Ford became the most successful manufacturer in the history of the FIA World Rally Championship after Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila secured the company’s 75th WRC victory. The duo won Rally New Zealand in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car and moved the firm to the top of the all-time win list, beating the record that has stood for Lancia since 1992.

The Blue Oval’s tally of 75 victories since the Championship was founded in 1973 has helped the company take the manufacturers’ world title in 1979, 2006 and 2007, and the drivers’ world crown in 1979 and 1981. Lancia has yet to 
recreate its Championship glory, leaving the Delta Integrale 
as its most recent winner.

Seventeen drivers have contributed to Ford’s record, which began in 1973 at the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland. They include Timo Mäkinen, Hannu Mikkola, Roger Clark, Björn Waldegård and Marcus Grönholm, who achieved the winning tally in the iconic Escort and Focus RS models.

‘This is a landmark achievement of which everyone at Ford can rightly be proud,’ John Fleming, Ford of Europe chairman and CEO said. ‘We have a long and illustrious motor sport heritage, especially in rallying, where our participation dates back more than 70 years.’