BLCKBOX ~ BTCC 1998 Ford Mondeo

It started life as just another BTCC car but finished its series stay as one of the most advanced, expensive and high-tech cars in BTCC history. The Ford Mondeo’s eight-year BTCC run bought with it a journey from the front of the grid to the back, and then again to the front, and the transformation Ford Team Mondeo undertook over those eight seasons was remarkable. I’ve explored the car, the history and legacy of the Ford Mondeo in this edition of BTCC History.

With Valvoline now gone as a title sponsor, Ford entered the 1997 BTCC season known as Team Mondeo with Reynard and had 1991 BTCC champion Will Hoy behind the wheel. With Hoy replacing Robertson, Ford had one of the strongest driver lineups on the grid in Hoy and Radisich, and hopes were high of a successful season after a tough 1996. The season was a difficult one, and once again the Ford Mondeo finished the year without a race win to its name. Neither driver scored a podium finish and Radisich and Hoy finished 13th and 15th respectively as Ford ended the season 7th out of 8 in the constructor’s standings. Poor reliability hit the Mondeo hard in 1997, and up against the might of the Renaults and Audis Ford struggled to make a mark on the BTCC, despite having one of the strongest driver lineups.

1998 saw Ford Mondeo stalwart Radisich leave the team for Pegeuot, bringing an end to a four-year association with the manufacturer. Radisich remains the longest-serving Mondeo driver in the BTCC but despite a successful early period he failed to secure the title in the car. Radisich was replaced by Craig Baird and Nigel Mansell for 1998, with Mansell taking part in rounds 6, 11 and 13 whilst Baird raced in the remaining rounds. Hoy remained with the team now known as Ford Mondeo Racing with Reynard and secured his first BTCC race win in the Mondeo and Ford’s first since 1995 in race 4 of the season at Silverstone.

Hoy finished 1998 10th in the standings with one further podium finish whilst Mansell and Baird finished 18th and 20th respectively. For the third year running Ford finished 7th in the constructor’s standings, a finish which prompted a huge shakeup from the Ford for the following season.