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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Two Ford Racing Legends Team-Up for 2005

Staff, Tuesday August 31, 2004.

Page 1 of 1

The announcement strengthens Ford?s V8 Supercar policy of developing a strong group of teams. The strength in numbers policy is set to give a group of Ford teams the chance to fight for the championship in 2005.

?For Ford, its dealers and all the Ford fans this is clearly an exciting announcement,? said Ford Motorsport Operations Manager Stephen Kruk.

?Not only are two Ford heroes joining forces, but more importantly it improves our strength across the Falcon teams. We want strong Ford teams and not just a lone gun taking it up to the opposition.

?Going forward we?re working with all our teams and drivers to develop the best line-up to achieve that success. This announcement clearly shows that we?re determined to continue our success in V8 Supercars and all the Ford teams are going to play a very important part in delivering the best results.?

The Johnson/Seton combination can boast credentials most teams and drivers could only dream of. Combined Johnson and Seton represent seven championships, 39 round wins, 116 podiums and 383 championship starts.

Johnson owns and operates Australia?s longest-established fully professional racing team, dating back to 1980. Seton set-up his own Ford team in 1989 before selling it to his current employer Prodrive (Ford Performance Racing) at the end of 2002.

Seton will contest the remainder of the season with Ford Performance Racing including the upcoming Betta Electrical Sandown 500 in Melbourne and Australia?s premier motor race, the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst on Sunday October 10.

Seton believes that now his decision for 2005 has been announced he can focus his full attention on the remainder of this season, including obtaining his first Bathurst title where he will drive alongside Craig Lowndes.

?Dick and I have raced hard against each other as both drivers and team owners for more than a decade. There?s always been mutual respect there, so the opportunity to join forces was too good to pass up,? Glenn Seton said.

?We?ve both got a point to prove ? the last couple of seasons have been tough, results wise, for both of us but together we?re determined to return to the front of the field again.

?Another factor is that I?ve relocated to Queensland, so the team?s just up the road, and I can once again take a much more active role with the team.

?Dick?s equipment and technical resources are the equal of anyone out there, I know the cars are fast and strong, they?ve got a great track record and great people, so it was a pretty easy decision for me.

?For the remainder of 2004 my full attention is with Ford Performance Racing. Now I have no distractions, I can give it everything. Driving with Craig again at Bathurst has me very excited and I know that we?ll be a force at Mount Panorama.?

Johnson was equally delighted to have Seton?s signature on a contract.

?Frankly, Glenn has the right mix of speed and experience to deliver the results we?ve been working so hard for ? it?s the final piece of the puzzle for us,? said Johnson.

?His desire to win hasn?t gone away, he?s out to prove to the world he?s still as competitive as ever, and we can give him the equipment and environment to make that happen.

?Our new partnership is an unexpected outcome, for sure, when you consider how many years we?re been racing against each other but it?s a very exciting prospect ? we?re really looking forward to 2005.?

While disappointed to be saying farewell to the team?s second foundation driver, Ford Performance Racing was pleased that Seton is continuing his V8 Supercar career with another Ford team in 2005.

?We thank Glenn for his valuable contribution to our young team and wish him success in the future,? said Ford Performance Racing Managing Director David Flint.

?I have had a long association with Glenn that extends to the Ford Tickford Racing days and it has been great to be associated with him both as a team owner and more recently as one of our lead drivers. We gave him his first podium visit at Bathurst last year and we will be doing all we can to take him and Craig one step further this year.?

Both Ford Performance Racing and Shell Helix Racing will make final 2005 driver line-up announcements in due course.

For Further information contact:
Ben Beazley
Media Coordinator
Ford Racing Australia
Phone: 03 9359 8190
Mobile: 0417 262 753
Email: benb@global-marketing.com

Tony Mee
Media Manager
Shell Helix Racing
Phone: 03-9596 9011
Mobile: 0438-571 771
Email: tony@mediacomservices.com.au

Paul Marinelli
Media Relations Manager
Ford Performance Racing
Mobile: 0417 558 655
Email: paul@marinellipr.com.au

Further information and high-resolution images relating to Ford Racing Australia can also be found at : media.ford.com

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