Staff, Friday December 2, 2005.
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Ford Racing has already set about plans to once again sit atop of the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2006.
Having won 11 awards in 2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series, including titles for Manufacturer, Driver (Russell Ingall – Caltex Racing), Team (Stone Brothers Racing) and most pole positions (Craig Lowndes – Team Betta Electrical), Ford’s determination to be number #1 for a fourth-straight year remains a priority.
Driver changes will create a new landscape for some Ford teams, but it’s a change to the format of racing that will require the most attention.
Ford Racing Manager Ross Booth believes 2006 will be one of the toughest challenges in the history of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
“We have worked with all our teams over the past few months to make sure we are well placed for the 2006 season,” said Booth.
“The new additions of James Courtney (JELD-WEN Racing), Jamie Whincup (Team Betta Electrical) and Will Davison (Dick Johnson Racing) alone has given our line-up a fresh young look.
“The addition of Team BOC to the Stone Brothers Racing engine program is a bonus.
“Mark Winterbottom joining Ford Performance Racing will continue that team’s momentum towards the front.
“Orrcon Racing has plans in place to get back in the mix in 2006.
“Britek Motorsport is a team that will benefit from a year’s experience in the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
“It’s also important to recognise the increased commitment to television from the Ten Network that will be of benefit to all involved in 2006.
Booth did raise concerns about the introduction of reverse-grid races in 2006.
“I’m all in favour of improving the spectacle of V8 Supercar racing,” said Booth.
“The fact remains that the best team and driver should be crowned champions. I’m not sure if that will be the scenario in 2006.
“Competition is all about the best rising to the challenge. There’s no doubt that 2006 will be a massive challenge with the reverse-grid races. I wouldn’t want the best team or driver to have their championship hopes end because of an incident in one of those races.
“There are plenty of smart people in the pitlane who will try a range of different scenarios in the first two races of the weekend. It can’t be good to have a situation where teams will want drivers not to win that first race so that they are better positioned for the reverse-grid race.
“There’s also no doubt that the cost of competing will be increased through reverse-grid races. Even minor panel rubs will mean new spares, this can only increase costs.
“With such a massive change to the racing format I would have thought that this would have been put to all teams for input. The teams would have canvassed their business partners and then consensus would have brought a decision about the idea of reverse-grid racing.
“As I said before our teams will take on any challenge and our resolve to have another successful year remains our priority.”
Ford Racing in Australia will support V8 Supercar, the Australian Rally Championship and the Australian Formula Ford championship in 2006.
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