MURPHY TESTS WORLD RALLY CAR

Posted: December 3, 2002 12:35 PM

Ford works driver Mark Higgins was present at the test to show Colm the "ropes". Mark initially drove Colm around the test stage in a Volvo Recce car and then in the Ford Focus World Rally Car to teach him about the controls of the car. Finally Colm along with his co-driver Teddy Ahern did four runs in the car. Present at the test were all of Ford Rallysports top management including Martin Whittaker, Alan Rose and Malcolm Wilson.

Commenting after driving the Ford Focus RS WRC 02, a jubilant Colm Murphy said, "The car is absolutely amazing the level of power and grip is phenomenal. It really is like being allowed to drive Michael Schumacher's car. I had very little time to acclimatise to the car, as it was left hand drive, paddle gear change, and various differential settings. This test has helped my career and me enormously and I am now more focused than ever before to move onto greater things within the sport. I would like to thank Ford for allowing me the opportunity to test such a car and it is a great feeling to have the support of a major manufacturer behind you".

Colm now moves to Boreham on the 5th of December where he will test a Super 1600 Ford Puma as the second part of his overall prize for winning the 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship.

Photo: Colm Murphy from Athea, Co. Limerick & co-driver Teddy Ahern recently tested a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car 02 as part of his prize for winning the 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship.Photo by Derek Noonan