"Our deadline for confirming that Ford continues in world championship rallying after the end of this year is early August". Mark Deans, Ford's Director of Motorsport was highlighting the range of decisions waiting to be made by the FIA before Ford can confirm whether to extend their current engagement. "Our agreement extends till the end of 2008. We are passionate about rallying. There are at the moment huge opportunities to revolutionise the sport, but you cannot build a house if there are no foundations".

Deans itemised the four main centres of worry facing Ford,.which must be satisfactorily answered before any decision to go into 2009 and beyond can be made. "Firstly there is currently no global promotion for world championship rallying. At every Grand Prix time, there is double page publicity in International Herald Tribune extolling investment in F1. In rallies, there are often only programmes on only minor television channels. Secondly we cannot embark on investment with new rally models (the new World Rally Car formula is to start in 2010) until we know the precise technical regulations. Thirdly the calendars for 2009 and especially 2010 leave room for improvement, and we want to know what is going to be done about it". Quite apart from geographical anomalies, there is the controversial problem of classic rallies dropping out of the championship on account of the rotation system.

"Finally we need to be convinced the FIA recognises the unique opportunities afforded by world championship rallying. There are wide issues to consider. Maybe a winter based season was not a bad idea - because events will be held on the weekends at a time of year when more people (in the Northen hemisphere) watch television. There is currently a great opportunity to transform rallying back in to being a great sport, but before we can make future plans for ourselves, we need to know what is going to happen. And know it in very short time", concludes Deans.

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