Ashcroft retires

Peter Ashcroft is retiring as Director of Motorsport for Ford Europe. He has a lifetime of experience behind him, beginning as a mechanic then moving on to race F3 single-seaters in the early ’50s. After spells as chief mechanic in various racing categories, he joined Ford’s competitions department as a mechanic in 1963 and soon moved on to become a highly respected engine specialist, playing an important role in the development of the Ford Cosworth BDA.

In 1972 he became competitions manager for Ford of Britain, moving up in 1980 to take charge of sporting activities throughout Europe. He was appointed Director of European Motorsport in December, 1990, when Stuart Turner retired.

Taking Ashcroft’s place at Boreham will be Colin Dobinson, the 47 year-old Marketing Special Studies Manager for Ford of Europe. He joined Ford in 1961 and has held various positions in marketing strategy, product promotion, product development and sales.

At least for the year ahead, during which the final development of the new Escort RS Cosworth will take place, Peter Ashcroft will remain a consultant for the Ford team. We wish him a long, happy and busy retirement, during which we trust his will remain as familiar a face on the Turini, in the Peloponnisos and in the Wynnstay Arms carpark as it always was.