Ford fans have the chance to win the ultimate smooth rally experience when they sit beside BP-Ford World Rally star Marcus Grönholm in the all-new Focus XR5 Turbo at this year's Gold Coast Indy in October.
With Rally Australia taking place in Perth the following weekend, Grönholm will be making a special visit to the Surfers Paradise event that includes the 10th round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series and the penultimate round of the Champcar World Series.
A two-time World Rally Champion, Grönholm currently sits second in the driver's standings in a Focus RS World Rally Car, while BP-Ford is second in the manufacturers' standings. He's won four rounds so far in 2006 in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Greece and the most recent round in Finland. The next round in Japan is over the weekend of 1-3 September.
With Ford being the official engine supplier to the Champcar World Series, the Blue Oval also supplies pacecars. Part of the pacecar line-up at the Gold Coast Indy will be the Focus XR5 Turbo; it's this vehicle that fans have the opportunity to ride-in with the Finnish rally star.
The ride in the Focus XR5 Turbo will be part of corporate hot laps that take place over the race weekend.
All fans have to do is go-on line to www.ford.com.au/focus and describe in 25 words or less "Why do you deserve the ultimate smooth rally experience?"
The chance to sit beside Grönholm at Indy is just part of the prize, with corporate passes to the Ford Blue Oval Club at Indy as well as Rally Australia all part of the package.
As well as taking the winners on a ride around the Gold Coast Indy circuit, Grönholm will also take time to meet Ford Racing stars from the V8 Supercar Championship Series and the Champcar World Series. The opportunity to have three of the Blue Oval's major international motor sports series' together on the same weekend underlines Ford's commitment to racing across the globe.
Grönholm will join Ford Performance Racing on the Saturday to watch the opening V8 Supercar race of the weekend.
"I have always enjoyed Australia, this time I get the chance to see the Gold Coast and some different racing," said Grönholm.
"The new XR5 Focus Turbo is a very nice car to drive. It will be a lot of fun driving it on a street track; in the WRC we sometimes tackle special stages on a street circuit so this will be quite similar. I don't expect the passenger to act as a co-driver; I want them to enjoy the ride.
"I'm looking forward to also watching the other categories of racing. Ford has been very successful in the V8s in Australia and I'm looking forward to seeing those cars up close.
"We are just about to start the second-half of our season. It would be nice to come to the Gold Coast with some good results behind us and have a big go at winning Rally Australia."
The Ultimate Smooth Rally Experience includes:
. 5 nights luxury accommodation for 2 adults at the Q1 Resort & Spa, Gold Coast (19th-24th October, 2006)
. 2 return flights from your nearest capital city to the Gold Coast
. 2 hot laps with Marcus Gronholm from the BP-Ford World Rally Team
. 2 day Indy Corporate Package for 2 people
. 2 flights to Perth for Rally Australia
. 5 nights luxury accommodation for 2 adults at The Sheraton, Perth (24th-29th October, 2006)
. Return transfers from Perth airport to The Sheraton, Perth.
. Corporate Package for 2 including access to the BP-Ford service area
. 2 flights from Perth to home state capital city
All the details, including terms and conditions can be viewed at www.ford.com.au/focus. The Ultimate Smooth Rally Experience runs through to 17 September.Â
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