Ford Performance Racing’s partnership with Ford Australia remains unchanged following news the team’s primary backer is set to assume sole responsibility for fellow Prodrive-owned company, Ford Performance Vehicles.
Ford announced this morning it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FPV to purchase the assets it requires to engineer, manufacture and market the FPV brand in Australia.
The news is positive for FPR as it confirms Ford’s commitment to performance vehicles in Australia which is led by the team’s multi-car assault on the V8 Supercars Championship.
The ownership change does not affect the running of FPR nor does it pose a threat to the future of the team.
FPR operates as a separate business and this announcement will not inhibit the team’s expansion to a four car operation from 2013.
FPR is currently enjoying its best-ever V8 Supercars season and its preparations for the upcoming endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst are continuing as planned.
Tim Edwards – FPR Team Principal:
“Next year’s change of ownership at FPV in no way affects the future of FPR. The race team’s future is secure and we are in a very healthy position. We are a separate business and all our plans for 2013 and beyond remain. The FPV brand continues which is very pleasing for us as it is one of the team’s founding commercial partners. Ford’s ownership will further strengthen our ties with them as we are intrinsically linked to the brand’s performance credentials. Obviously as the specific details of the new structure evolve we will discuss with Ford the nature of our relationship with the FPV brand. However, our immediate focus is on the enduros and the development of our Car of the Future program.”