BTCC driver Tom Chilton took Ford's Global Ford Focus Touring Car to a podium finish on its racing debut in the opening round, at Brands Hatch.
The third place finish in Race 1 helped Team Aon secure fourth spot amongst the Independent Teams, and sixth place in the overall BTCC Team Standings.
Chilton said: "After the restart I knew I was quicker than Alex MacDowall and overtook him around the outside, it was a bit of a risky move, but I made it stick. I'm really happy; it was a good first race for the new car."
The Focus is being developed by UK based Arena International, who run Team Aon, with technical help from Ford. It's the first product of a global initiative, which will see development of a S2000 specification car to race in major touring car categories worldwide.
Arena International launched the previous generation Focus ST in 2009 - 18 months later Chilton secured both the Independent Drivers' Championship and the Independent Teams' championship.
Explaining the relationship between Ford and the independent teams it supports, Ford of Europe Motorsport senior manager, Gerald Quinn said: "It's always very satisfying to see privateers taking Ford products and racing with them. Just as we can offer a team support in terms of cutting-edge facilities like the Dunton test track, so teams such as Arena can offer us their experience and skill in developing winning race cars. It's a truly collaborative effort."
Russell Campbell - 4 Apr 2011