Staff, Monday October 2, 2006.
Ford will head to the Super Cheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst with the aim of ending its longest run without victory at Mount Panorama.
Ford has not tasted success at Bathurst since 1998 when Jason Bright and Steven Richards combined to win in a Stone Brothers Racing EL Falcon, in fact Ford have only won Bathurst twice in the last 15 years.
Bathurst Ford Racing line-up caption
Back Row L-R:
Brad Jones, John Bowe, Mark Porter, Dale Brede, Warren Luff, Adam Macrow, Jose Fernandez and Tony Ricciardello
Middle Row L-R:
Richard Lyons, Jamie Whincup, Luke Youlden, Glenn Seton, Mark Winterbottom, David Brabham, Will Davison, Alex Davison and Jonathan Webb
Front Row L-R:
Allan Simonsen, Craig Lowndes, Russell Ingall, James Courtney, Jason Bright, Matt Halliday, Steven Johnson, Grant Denyer and Marcus Marshall
In contrast Ford has dominated the V8 Supercar Championship Series over the past three seasons; winning the driver’s championship, team’s title and two out of three manufacturer’s cups.
“The one thing missing in our trophy cabinet is Bathurst,” said Ford President Tom Gorman.
“I don’t think a day goes by when Bathurst is not brought up in some type of conversation; it means that much to everyone associated with Ford.
“A win for Ford would mean a lot. I know that we are in the middle of a championship hunt, but I know that all the Ford teams will attack to win the race. The championship is a secondary consideration right now.
“We have the talent and the teams to get us a win at Mount Panorama; however it’s the one race where predictions are too hard to make.
“It would be a career, as well as a personal, highlight for me to win Bathurst.”
Ford Racing Manager Ray Price has experienced Bathurst from both sides of the pit garage.
Price worked on a number of Bathurst campaigns with the legendary Allan Moffat, which included plenty of highs and lows.
“Bathurst gives you the full spectrum of emotions,” said Price.
“I had many great runs at Bathurst with Allan Moffat, but the race I remember the most was 1988 when our Ford Sierra overheated after a long period behind the safety car. We had the fastest car and drivers, but came away empty handed.
“The last three years we have been very close to winning. 2004 sums it up with us taking second through to seventh placings!
“This year we not only have the talent, I also believe the momentum. We have showed excellent pace on different tracks and for the first time in a number of years we have a whole range of teams that can win the race. Over the past few years we really had just two or three who could legitimately say they could win the race. This year we certainly have half-a-dozen real chances.
“We know that to win at Bathurst you can’t afford any mistakes and you must take every opportunity. It really is the hardest race to win.
“The opposition is tough – there’s no doubt about that. It would be very sweet to win it this year and finally break the drought!”
Ford will officially support seven teams (13 entries) and 26 drivers at this year’s race.
The Super Cheap Auto 1000 runs from October 5-8.
Ford official line-up for Bathurst#1 Russell Ingall / Luke Youlden: Caltex Racing #4 James Courtney / Glenn Seton: JELD-WEN Motorsport #5 Matt Halliday / David Brabham: Ford Credit / BroadIP Ford Performance Racing #6 Jason Bright / Mark Winterbottom: CAT Ford Performance Racing #12 Mark Porter / Dale Brede: Team BOC #14 Brad Jones / John Bowe: Team BOC #17 Steven Johnson / Will Davison: First Rock Home Loans Racing #18 Alex Davison / Grant Denyer: APVC Racing #20 Marcus Marshall / Jonathan Webb: Glenfords Racing #25 Warren Luff / Adam Macrow: Fujitsu Racing #26 Jose Fernandez / Tony Ricciardello: Fujitsu Racing #88 Allan Simonsen / Richard Lyons: Team Betta Electrical #888 Craig Lowndes / Jamie Whincup: Team Betta Electrical
Championship after 8 of 13 rounds1. Craig Lowndes: Team Betta Electrical: Ford Falcon 2218 pts
2. Rick Kelly: Toll HSV: Holden Commodore -27 pts
3. Mark Winterbottom: Ford Credit / BroadIP FPR: Ford Falcon -235 pts
4. Garth Tander: Toll HSV: Holden Commodore -370 pts
5. Jamie Whincup: Team Betta Electrical: Ford Falcon -494 pts
6. Russell Ingall: Caltex Racing: Ford Falcon -496 pts
7. Jason Bright: CAT FPR: Ford Falcon -504 pts
8. Steven Johnson: First Rock Home Loans: Ford Falcon -525 pts
9 Steven Richards: Jack Daniel’s racing: Holden Commodore -636 pts
10. Mark Skaife: Holden Racing Team: Holden Commodore -800 pts
Ford.TurboClub.com
Ford continues to lead the V8 Supercar charge claiming the third all-Ford podium in four rounds, with Jamie Whincup, Steven Richards and Mark Winterbottom on the podium in Tasmania today.
Ford today won its second consecutive world title by securing the manufacturers’ crown in the FIA World Rally Championship with the Focus RS World Rally Car 07.
Ford’s V8 Supercar drivers will attack the second last event on the 2007 V8 Supercar calendar this weekend in Tasmania.
TeamVodafone’s MoBros are well on target in the moustache growing stakes with all 25 members sporting more than just a bit of facial fluff.
BP-Ford World Rally Team heads into the final three weekends of the FIA World Rally Championship season in head-to-head fights for both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ titles.
The autosalon Automotive Lifstyle Show Semi Final battle is on this weekend 10th – 11th November, 2007.
The V8 Gala Dinner wil be held at Palladium at Crown, Melbourne, Victoria.
James now only dancing with cars.
TeamVodafone to Raise Money and Awareness for Mens Health
New Ford Mondeo More Than Just Good Looks
Presents Aplenty as Ranger Turns One
Ambrose Visor from Montreal Signed and up For Auction on Ebay
Public Vote Keeps Courtney in Dancing With The Stars
Ford Fights At Indy To Hold Championship Lead
Courtney Hoping To Waltz Through To Next Round
2007 Australian International Motor Show: FPV Unleashes New F6 X
FPV Limited Edition F6 R Spec Typhoon
Back to Back Wins for Ford at Bathurst with a Falcon 1-2-3
Blue Oval to Remain King of the Enduro's