***Ford to be killed off V8 Supercars circuit at end of 2015*** - Page 7

**Sorted** · 01-12-2014, 04:35 PM

WOW they can announce they are pulling support a year in advance bit leave announcing support to the last minute - *********

V8 Supercars management is partly to blame here by making it the Commodore Cup .........

“Go Further 2020: Experience the Future Today” - on Sunday I saw there is a new building at Ford HQ with this on it.....

galaxy xr8 · 01-12-2014, 04:42 PM

I feel so proud to be a loyal Ford supporter right now, even more so when I remember back and watch that advertisement that ONE FORD released just the other week, oh how the brand was brought up by it’s racing heritage and pedigree........

To stand tall and proud of Ford’s racing success as they so proudly emphasised it to us all, and how they promoted that fact to us.

What a wonderful time to be a loyal fan, right back at you ONE FORD....go and get ******.

Grippy · 01-12-2014, 04:48 PM

Statement from Tim Edwards and Rod Nash on FPR's website.

http://www.fpr.com.au/news/2014/12/0...d-announcement

What concerns me is:

“Now that we know where we stand we can further develop other opportunities. We have a range of options, some existing and some that were awaiting this decision, so we can now begin to explore these further.

“Whatever happens, I know our loyal fans will support our team whatever direction we take.”

Whitey-AMG · 01-12-2014, 04:49 PM

Oh well - it was always coming
Should have pulled the pin this year - while they were on a high with the back to back Bathurst win this year. May as well go out with a bang than a whimper...

Anyways........

TC200six · 01-12-2014, 04:50 PM

We knew this was coming, it'll be interesting to see how long they keep running Falcons after 2015 if they switch to another make.

"This afternoon, we will announce we will provide support to teams racing Ford Falcons in the 2015 V8 Supercars series but will not renew our sponsorships after the 2015 season."

That should mean Ford will sponsor DJRTP next year, otherwise it should just say "Ford Performance Racing".

futura · 01-12-2014, 04:51 PM

Disappointing news indeed. On the launch on the new FG X falcon, Ford announces the ending of there support on the v8supercar series.

Just hope this decision is reversed next year and have Ford support in 2016. One can hope.

Guzz226 · 01-12-2014, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC200six

We knew this was coming, it'll be interesting to see how long they keep running Falcons after 2015 if they switch to another make.

"This afternoon, we will announce we will provide support to teams racing Ford Falcons in the 2015 V8 Supercars series but will not renew our sponsorships after the 2015 season."

That should mean Ford will sponsor DJRTP next year, otherwise it should just say "Ford Performance Racing".

The word "support" can means lots of things.....
To FPR it is dollars
To DJR it has been original parts only

TC200six · 01-12-2014, 04:59 PM

V8 Supercars hope to see Fords on the grid in 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8 Supercars

Ford’s marketing decision not to continue with V8 Supercars from 2016, effectively closing the door on more than 50 years of proud racing heritage, does not spell the end of the Blue Oval on the grid.

Ford announced today that it would withdraw support of its one factory team after next year when six Falcons will contest the 2015 Championship.

V8 Supercars hopes the Ford brand will continue in the sport beyond 2016 with our without support from HQ, as has Ford’s most loyal team Dick Johnson Racing which next year will become DJR Team Penske. Ironically racing royalty Roger Penske, like Johnson, is also a Ford loyalist.

Ford’s star driver Mark Winterbottom currently sits second in the Championship after a heated battle with Jamie Whincup this season, which saw him earn four race wins, while his Pepsi Max Crew teammate Chaz Mostert won the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 with Paul Morris.

It was FPR's second straight victory at Bathurst, one of the world’s greatest races.

“Some time ago, we called on Ford to clarify their position for 2016 – which they have now done,” V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said.

“Clearly we are disappointed in their decision to cease financial support for FPR beyond 2015. Disappointed for the fans who have so passionately supported the brand for so many years. Disappointed for the team, drivers and other partners who have worked so hard for the Ford brand.

“We understand things are tough at Ford at the moment, but were hopeful they would continue to see the enormous brand value our sport has to them, not to mention decades of Blue Oval racing heritage – particularly at a time when we are growing so strongly.

“The good news for our fans is that there will still be six Falcons on the grid in 2015. With many of our teams being privateers, with no factory support, we are confident that there will be Fords on the grid in 2016 and beyond. In any case, we look forward to welcoming Ford back to our sport at some time in the future.”

anto · 01-12-2014, 04:59 PM

that is all

futura · 01-12-2014, 05:01 PM

I hope this decision does not come back and haunts them in years to come. This could be a devastating blow to the future of Ford in Australia.

P6LTD351 · 01-12-2014, 05:03 PM

Ford are working on rebranding themselves. Good on them. V8 Supercars is irrelevant these days.

futura · 01-12-2014, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

Ford are working on rebranding themselves. Good on them. V8 Supercars is irrelevant these days.

you need to be in it to win it. not being part of the v8supercar series is not a good move.

P6LTD351 · 01-12-2014, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futura

you need to be in it to win it. not being part of the v8supercar series is not a good move.

Be in what? An event that the greater population sees as 'bogan'?

Has winning Bathurst 2 times in a row helped Falcon sales?

Ford will do fine.

rex351 · 01-12-2014, 05:10 PM

blueoval · 01-12-2014, 05:15 PM

That is a shame and I am not one bit surprised. I'll be supporting the driver from now on. There is too much pain following a brand of late.

futura · 01-12-2014, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

Be in what? An event that the greater population sees as 'bogan'?

Has winning Bathurst 2 times in a row helped Falcon sales?

Ford will do fine.

I grow up watching Bathurst as a young kid and supporting the blue oval. Now years later, purchased my child hood dream car (GTF). Moral of the story, if you want future sales, you need to plant the seed early in the minds of our younger future generation. Not supporting v8supercar teams is not the answer.

Syndrome · 01-12-2014, 05:20 PM

This is why I gave up on the brand in 2007. They don't care about Australia. With the new COTF rules Ford could stick anybody panels on the outside to match whatever product they are trying to flog in Australia.

One more new Falcon in 2016 then I am NEVER buying another Ford as long as I live.

P6LTD351 · 01-12-2014, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futura

I grow up watching Bathurst as a young kid and supporting the blue oval. Now years later, purchased my child hood dream car (GTF). Moral of the story, if you want future sales, you need to plant the seed early in the minds of our younger future generation. Not supporting v8supercar teams is not the answer.

I understand your point. We're enthusiasts so of course we want Ford to stay in V8 Supercars. The average person buying cars these days couldn't care less. Unfortunately, times have changed. Most young kids couldn't care about V8s or Fords and Holdens. They are happy in a Toyota Corolla. Sad, but true.

Nikked · 01-12-2014, 05:21 PM

Thinking outside the square....

2016 ford Australia pulls out, ford us brings in the mustang?

futura · 01-12-2014, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Thinking outside the square....

2016 ford Australia pulls out, ford us brings in the mustang?

been thinking about this too. factory support from Ford America to support there world car the mustang?

Wretched · 01-12-2014, 05:25 PM

I am not surprised with this decision nor am I disappointed.
Ford AU are in a re branding phase right now, they will be ending local manufacturing and need to transition from being known as the Falcon company.

Their new products will be marketed differently and to a wider market.
This decision doesn't mean they stop motorsports all together, just V8 supercars.
Do the V8 supercar series even allow 2 door cars/shells (Mustang)?

Mighty Reds · 01-12-2014, 05:25 PM

This is hardly a surprise, Ford drop in and out of motorsport all the time.

I'll support any privateer style Ford teams (if there are any) otherwise I'll find something else to occupy my time on every 2nd or 3rd weekend.

Struggo · 01-12-2014, 05:28 PM

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-1...f-2015/5931378

Sad day for Australian Motor Sport.

futura · 01-12-2014, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty Reds

This is hardly a surprise, Ford drop in and out of motorsport all the time.

I'll support any privateer style Ford teams (if there are any) otherwise I'll find something else to occupy my time on every 2nd or 3rd weekend.

Got plenty of old V8 supercar recordings to keep me busy for a number of years for every 2 or 3 weekends

Whitey-AMG · 01-12-2014, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

I am not surprised with this decision nor am I disappointed.
Ford AU are in a re branding phase right now, they will be ending local manufacturing and need to transition from being known as the Falcon company.

Their new products will be marketed differently and to a wider market.
This decision doesn't mean they stop motorsports all together, just V8 supercars.
Do the V8 supercar series even allow 2 door cars/shells (Mustang)?

Yeh , but transitioning to what ?
FoA had character and balls once upon a time.
Sure they were the falcon car company, but that kept its dealer doors open, the service dept ticking along and local manufacturing half healthy.

I'm not an adept follower of the current V8 supercar formula , nor a big fan, but at least it was something that flew the blue oval flag in the media and in the sports arena.

So now they aren't the falcon company and they ain't into fast cars.....what are they. The Ranger company ?? Bunch of mud pluggers.....lol

**Fordman1** · 01-12-2014, 05:43 PM

The Ford brand (unfortunately) sucks in this country right now.

I hope plan B (what ever it is) is good.

Wretched · 01-12-2014, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluey-GT

Yeh , but transitioning to what ?
FoA had character and balls once upon a time.
Sure they were the falcon car company, but that kept its dealer doors open, the service dept ticking along and local manufacturing half healthy.

I'm not an adept follower of the current V8 supercar formula , nor a big fan, but at least it was something that flew the blue oval flag in the media and in the sports arena.

So now they aren't the falcon company and they ain't into fast cars.....what are they. The Ranger company ?? Bunch of mud pluggers.....lol

Errm to Ford Australia.
It may have....in the past...but now look at what sells in their range..

like I said in my post do the V8 super car series allow 2 door cars? I.e. MUSTANG?

What are you on about? Ford not into fast cars? Focus ST, Fiesta ST, MUSTANG...Falcon WAS one product, not the company.

2016 cannot come quick enough.

futura · 01-12-2014, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

Errm to Ford Australia.
It may have....in the past...but now look at what sells in their range..

like I said in my post do the V8 super car series allow 2 door cars? I.e. MUSTANG?

What are you on about? Ford not into fast cars? Focus ST, Fiesta ST, MUSTANG...Falcon WAS one product, not the company.

2016 cannot come quick enough.

So what motorsport will Ford support these cars in Australia? Focus ST, Fiesta St and Mustang?

futura · 01-12-2014, 06:03 PM

Please don't tell me that when I have kids, they are going to be dreaming of buying a Fiesta ST when they grow up

**Bluehoon** · 01-12-2014, 06:04 PM

Without the emotion and looking factually...

How do you equate V8 supercars to sales? Where is the link?

If sales were based around V8 supercars then why are sales so dismal and ford not continuing falcon?
The sales of Ford / Falcon are not in conjecture with the V8 supercars any longer, I understand their decision.
The whole Holden / Ford / V8 supercars is a tribalist, neolithic, neanderthal culture that is epitomic of generations on the way out.

Ford is moving with the times and stall walt stance of V8 supercar jingoism highlights a sponsorship which doesn't suit the company product, branding or image well at all.

Hard pill to swallow for many but there no point being involved if it's not producing sales, which it isn't.

Bad for supercars (for many here), but fantastic for Ford.

Flame away...