|
Ford
Performance Racing managers met with Stone Brothers Racing last week to begin
talks on how the two Ford teams will work together in 2009’s V8
Supercar Championship Series.
FPR’s
Team Principal Tim Edwards traveled to SBR’s Yatala facility with Chief
Engineer Phil Keed and Engine Department Manager Brad Collins to meet with
SBR team owners Ross and Jimmy Stone following Ford’s announcement that
the two teams will be the primary focus of its motorsport sponsorship
programme next year.
“We’ll
obviously be working a lot closer together from now on,” said Edwards.
“Clearly there are issues with competitive confidentiality and we
won’t be running four identical cars, but we’ll definitely be
looking to explore each other's strengths.
“I
have a tremendous amount of respect for SBR and its record in V8 Supercars
and I’m sure we’ll work very well together. There are a lot of
practicalities to be sorted out but our meeting was a good starting
point.”
Ross
Stone agreed with Edwards. “It has only been a few days since
Ford’s announcement so our talks with FPR are only in the very early
stages but this initial meeting was the first step.
“SBR
and FPR are two very strong teams technically and while we are not looking to
create a four-car team, it is smart business that we work out mutually
beneficial arrangements that will strengthen both teams.”
SBR
gave Edwards, Keed and Collins a tour of its facilities before sit-down talks
on future collaborations, which lasted six hours.
Earlier
this month Ford Australia announced plans to channel its 2009 direct
motorsport sponsorship through two successful race teams, FPR and SBR. While
the company will continue to provide race shells, crash panels and ongoing
engineering support to other Ford teams, the move is designed to allow
greater leveraging opportunities and strengthen fans’ association of
performance success and the Ford brand. Ford's involvement in V8 Supercars
will remain the company's single largest sponsorship and category investment.
|
