Ford serves up greater commitment to Supercar campaign
24/1/2001 15:10 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - In the strongest statement yet as to their commitment to reviving the Blue Oval V8 Supercar campaign, Ford Australia has yanked their support from the Australian Open Tennis Championships.
Principal, naming-rights sponsor of the Melbourne Grand Slam tournament for 16 years, Ford Australia will end their association with the event after this week, electing to direct more of their sponsorship dollars into motorsport.
Ford Australia President Geoff Polites announced the split this morning.
"Our promotional and sponsorship priorities have been changing and while we wish to maintain strong ties with the Australian Open, we are now involved in significant sponsorship activities in other areas, notably our increased participation in motorsport in Australia," Polites said.
Thoroughly embarrassed by the performance of the once-proud manufacturer over the past few seasons, Polites and Ford have spent the summer boosting their motorsport campaign to a level not seen for decades.
With the signing of Craig Lowndes, a revamped and expanded squad of talented racers (the majority of whom are under 30) and a fleet of formidable cars and teams, the Ford campaign for 2001 looks as strong as ever.
“There is a new air of excitement and competitive spirit evident....with new driver line-ups and some very exciting prospects for an intensely competitive year,” Polites said recently.
Ford has thrown their weight behind no less than ten Falcon operations this year, including; Ford-Tickford Racing, Dick Johnson Racing, Stone Brothers Racing, Mark Larkham Motorsport, CAT Racing, OzEmail Racing, Super Cheap Auto Racing, Greenfield Mowers Racing, K & J Thermal Products Racing and the new Fred Gibson/Craig Lowndes alliance.
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