Ford has had a profound and influential impact on motorsport in Australia, particularly on the Australian Touring Car Championship, which has developed into V8 Supercars.
We have seen different models of Fords, from the Cortina to the Mustang to the Sierra to the Falcon, over so many years. As a result, Ford has won 23 drivers’ championships, the most of any manufacturer in Australian Touring Car Championship/V8 Supercars history.
Ford’s history is not only about the statistics and success that it has had in V8 Supercars, but also the passion from the fans. All the fans of the sport have enjoyed the rivalry of Ford versus Holden. You see plenty of blue Ford flags in the crowd at each and every single V8 Supercars event, and you see the fans buying Ford merchandise.
This great passion, combined with the direction the sport in terms of the Car of the Future rules and regulations opening it up to new makes, means Ford has absolutely no reason to leave the sport.
The details of who Ford supports, and the model of Ford that is introduced in the sport to replace the Falcon if they stay in V8 Supercars, is a great issue that is raising questions over the future of Ford in the sport further.
The Ford Motor Company should only support Ford Performance Racing (FPR), and make sure that there are four factory-backed Fords on the grid at the least.
With the demise of Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) when the final generation of Falcon is launched confirmed, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team should take over this role to give FPR all the technical support it needs to ensure great performance and competitiveness of the team and manufacturer going forward into the future.
This leads onto the type of car Ford should select to replace the Falcon, once it has become redundant at the end of 2016. The Ford Motor Company, with the support of Ford Australia and its dealers as well as the support of the Ford Special Vehicle Team, should select the United States-made Fusion beyond 2016 for use in V8 Supercars.
The Fusion is perfectly suited to V8 Supercars, and the name Fusion is exactly what the Car of the Future regulations are about, bringing everyone together to help each other in the car industry, to create great competition not only on and at the race track but also at the dealers at each manufacturer. That creates a bigger identity for the brand, and it is the brand that the people support, irrespective of whether it’s a Falcon, Mustang or Fusion.
Another thing that is clouding the minds on the board at the Ford Motor Company is the situation at Dick Johnson Racing (DJR). I feel Ford should not worry about supporting DJR for certain reasons.
One of those reasons is that Steven Johnson, who is now the General Manager of DJR, and the son of Dick has taken up a drive in the V8 Supercars Endurance Cup with rivals Erebus Motorsport. A person with such a standing within a team would not desert that team without a good reason to help out, for example, looking to improve the business and looking to change manufacturers and gain a bigger budget for DJR as a result.
Dick Johnson is open to a change of manufacturers to keep his team in the game as a competitive force, and V8 Supercars chairman Mark Skaife claiming that “at least one” manufacturer will join in 2014 with an announcement expected by the end of the year.
With Volvo coming into the sport next year with Garry Rogers Motorsport to create Volvo Polestar Racing, the remarks of Skaife suggest that there is another manufacturer hiding outside the shop window who is keen to get into the sport, possibly Chrysler. And with Brad Jones seemingly not being that interested in gaining more manufacturer support, or changing manufacturers, DJR is the next team in line to bring a new manufacturer into V8 Supercars.
Lastly, I plead on behalf of everyone in Australia to you, the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan, to stay in V8 Supercars for the good of your brand, the Ford brand on a global level outside of the United States, including Australia.
If you leave, you will be leaving a hole in Australia that cannot be filled, and your brand in Australia is on a similar level to what Ferrari and McLaren is to Formula 1, and it would be unthinkable for them to leave Formula 1.
You will benefit if Ford stays in V8 Supercars into the future.
Mark
Guest
I think Ford needs to think beyond the mindset of mass production. If they Falconise say 5000 Mondeos, such as turning them into rear wheel drive 6 cylinder cars, plus another 1000 v8 GTs, people will consider them Australian enough to support. Ford would have no problem selling them either, even at high prices, because 5000 is nowdays considered a very limited run. How about it Ford?
Graham
Guest
I drive Ford Falcon and will continue to do so when they are imported.Unions have killed the car industry and any smart company will go to cheaper manufacturing o/seas.Ford for their own benefit should stay in V8 Supercars as the buyers association via Motorsport creates a bond that is passed Dow through generations creating a long term bond that will return Ford sales as things improve.
Stretch
Guest
All I can say to so called ford fans is buy some other brand I will stick with my old fords xtgt and xygt ute replica don't like v8 supercars I like the olds race on Sunday sell on Monday
Aaron
Guest
Ryan I totally agree with you. I also own a new ford. I have followed the v8s my entire life, but starting to loose interest in v8 supercars as it becomes the commodore cup due to the lack of support by Ford. I think If ford pull out of the V8s they may as well pack up completely and leave Australia for good.
Paris Floudas
Guest
How right Ryan is , my whole family are ford supporters, we have always owned fords. I agree if ford pulls out of v8 I will repay there loyalty to me and my extended family by not buying fords any more.My sons are coming at the age for their first car and if ford pulls out of sponsoring FPR and out of v8 racing. I can guarantee their will be no fords in my driveway again . Ps haven't missed a Bathurst race in 35 years, also in financial position to buy mercs or BMW but still by fords. The ford heirachy need to listen to the ford fans before they do irreparable damage to their brand. Even sales of the mustang will suffer I for one don't see the point of buying one if ford aren't In v8s anymore will have no bragging rights . Probably will start buying mercs.
Dan
Guest
I totally agree!. If Ford pull out of Aus in racing aswell as manufacturing here then say goodbye to selling cars here in the future as the sales will definitely dry up as a result and the legions of the Ford faithful such as many i know including myself will abandon ford in return for them abandoning us.