In the wake of its second World Rally Championship win in as many years, Ford of Europe has just announced a strategic change within in its ranks signalling that a new breed of ST- and RS-badged models could be on the way.TeamRS boss Jost Capito has been made Vehicle Line Director of Performance Vehicles, shifting his focus away from the cauldron of motorsport and towards the development of more new performance cars for the road.The man responsible for the legendary Focus RS will now directly oversee the development of all of Ford of Europe’s hot offerings. Industry commentators have speculated that these could include an even faster Focus RS, a six-cylinder turbo RS-badged Ford Mondeo and sporting ST versions of the forthcoming Fiesta- and Ka- replacements.Meanwhile, Mark Deans has been appointed Ford's Motorsport Director, directly responsible for the brand’s competition in the WRC, for Formula Ford and for any future series it may get involved with. Mark was latterly a senior member of Ford of Britain's Sales and Marketing team, and has a history of motorsport involvement as Manager of European Motorsport Programmes between 1985 and 1989.His immediate challenge will be help replace Marcus Gronholm as lead WRC driver, and to maintain Ford’s excellent recent form in the World Rally Championship. Rumours also abound that the Blue Oval is also about to re-enter the British Touring Car Championship. Perhaps a bet on them for BTCC winners in 2009 wouldn’t be such a long shot after all.
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