Smoke and fire??

[browser351]

http://ninemsn.carpoint.com.au/news/...r-future-35862

Apologies if a repost.

Ford Performance Racing claims it wants to stay in the Blue Oval camp but the road ahead is uncertain for it – and more immediately for Dick Johnson Racing
FPR co-owner denies Ford ‘notice’ and talks with BMW
Ford’s future in V8 Supercar racing is suddenly in the spotlight.

“FORD SET TO QUIT V8s,” the magazine that most closely covers the sport, Auto Action, screamed last week.

Rod Nash, a co-owner of Ford Performance Racing, vigorously denied the manufacturer had flagged its departure at the end of this year – or that FPR was chasing a tie-up with an alternative manufacturer.

Nash, who bought FPR from Prodrive with fellow businessman and racer Rusty French four months ago, said he was quietly hopeful of striking a new deal to continue representing Ford on Australian circuits beyond this season. He denied that a recent trip to Europe with FPR team principal Tim Edwards involved a visit to BMW in Germany for talks about entering V8 Supercars.

But Edwards, when asked by Auto Action’s editor-at-large Mark Fogarty whether FPR was seeking a replacement for Ford, had “no comment whatsoever”. Ford itself has said it “is in discussions with Ford Performance Racing regarding possible future plans, but we do not disclose details about this or any other sponsorship arrangement”.

History tells us that where there’s smoke there’s usually fire ..................

[GTP-RPD]

It like we have gone full circle back to the 70's when ford pulled out of racing and then the 80's when they stopped producing v8's for a decade. this will be bad news if this is true. ford turning its back on its grass roots supporters. Have they not learnt from their past stuff ups.

[Brent]

Situation today is different to the 70s and 80s. At least then the Aussie sedan reigned supreme, and it was only some beancounting dimwits who thought they could save a dollar who decided it would be good to pull out of racing (and then V8s) as the Aussie sedan market approached its heights. Now though, the market for the Aussie 4 door sedan is a mere shadow of its former self.

I'm really only a casual observer of the V8 Supercar series. Go to a couple of races a year but that's about it. However, and this is purely my own personal opinion, I would be surprised to see any Fords on the grid come next year. As a race team, its just making less and less sense to run Falcons. If Ford stop Production of the Falcon in 2016 then its an open and shut case, but even if you only thought the rumour to be half true, why would you invest in a platform that clearly has a very shaky future? Moreso, if factory backing is minimal or non-existent, the business case becomes even more challenging.

There's been a lot written about the demise of the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" catchcry, maybe right, maybe wrong. However, for a company that's clearly in the doldrums, sponsorship of motor racing is usually one of the first casualties when you're looking at a corporate cash flow projection that's covered in red ink. Reality of the market folks.

[Phil B]

Because Auto Action is completely based on fact, truth and real research...

[Auslandau]

There is actually a thread happening here on the subject .....

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11392224