FORD ON BOARD (from Autosport.com)

Liz · 21 Nov 2002, 17:05 (Ref:434104)

Quote:

Ford backs Champ Car series

Series to benefit from full backing of car manufacturer

The famous Blue Oval will feature on all Champ Cars next year

The troubled CART series has been given a major boost after securing the full backing of car manufacturer Ford, according to this week's AUTOSPORT magazine.

The Detriot has agreed to what is believed to be a two-year deal to badge the fixed-specification turbocharged engines that are built by its subsidiary Cosworth.

The series will now be known as 'Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.' The car manufacturer will provide extensive marketing and promotional support, and will also supply CART with a new fleet of pace cars and safety trucks.

The news is a major boost for CART, which has already lost manufacturers Honda and Toyota to the rival Indy Racing League. It is believed that the announcement, due to be made at CART's end-of-season banquet, could spark a wave of deals for Champ Car teams. Mo Nunn Racing is just one squad that delayed a decision on its future involvement in the series until it was sure there would be manufacturer backing.

Ignore the D&G. Sounds pretty good eh?

macdaddy · 21 Nov 2002, 17:12 (Ref:434107)

This is the "Big One" that we've all been waiting for!
The dominoes should start falling pretty quickly now...

Ironic how Bridgestone and Ford find themselves linked together once again, isn't it?

Tiresmoke · 21 Nov 2002, 17:30 (Ref:434117)

dominoes baby! look for a lot of 2 year deals that'll add some much needed stability.

Liz · 21 Nov 2002, 19:49 (Ref:434202)

For Non D&G Version see www.cart.com

Quote:

“We are obviously pleased and very excited about joining forces with one of the legendary names in all of motor racing,” said Christopher R. Pook, CART President and CEO. “Ford is already the OEM leader in automotive performance products and with their recent announcement of the formation of the Ford Performance Group, you can see that they are continuing their aggressive strategy to reach the enthusiast market. CART's successful 'Fast Lap' program will feature exciting new technology from Dan Davis' group–-Ford Racing Technology, and a couple of the successful Ford SVT models. The entire CART paddock will be a conduit to communicate in the most dynamic way, the bridge between the cars that will be raced on Sunday, and the cars that CART fans buy on Monday. Ford-Cosworth power will be at the core of everything that CART accomplishes in the next few years and we could not be more excited about the opportunities that this partnership represents.”

Is this not exactly what we have been saying we need for the past two years? Is it not amazing what can be done when people stop thinking of stuffing money in their pants and start thinking about the people who are providing that money?

f1manoz · 21 Nov 2002, 21:27 (Ref:434268)

That is THE big one we have been waiting for and it is fantastic news, and great to see that Ford and Bridgestone are helping out with all the marketing they can.

Teams should now be lining up to join the series, knowing that it will be far cheaper to run in CART than the Invisibles next year, and knowing that a manufacturer is there ready to supply engines.

Look forward to some great racing in 2003.

Jay · 22 Nov 2002, 02:48 (Ref:434413)

This is good news indeed, along with all the other news the series has had late it amazes me that some media outlets (ok ESPN) still speak of Cart's "demise". They seem to be alone in their views. Even with Ford's announcement ESPN's big headline is "Questions remain for Cart"..then below in the tiniest print possible "Ford, CART reach two-year marketing agreement".

I'm going to leave them a little notice soon.

brightline · 22 Nov 2002, 03:23 (Ref:434421)

I left ESPN a little notice about the fabulous Jack Arute. I may have to leave them another. I know ESPN has the IRL TV deal and wants them to succeed because they have invested in their future but their bias is really starting to show.

Let Jack Arute spout out BS about the IRL & the Marlboro "war chest" all he wants...what happens next year after tobacco is out? Are those Penske cars going to be sponsored by Kraft cheese? Especially if Rahal keeps his Miller sponsorship. I mean Penske believes he's the big cheese, but that would be ridiculous.

I'm starting to think the only people that believe Jack Arute are his Mom and Tony George (and I hear she's having her doubts).

The Snout · 22 Nov 2002, 06:36 (Ref:434442)

(and I hear she's having her doubts).

This is Gold.

Great, we have Ford on board and that stability is coming together.
It's got to give the teams some confidence if they were lacking any.

camcartfan · 22 Nov 2002, 10:03 (Ref:434493)

I just mailed off a letter to Dan Davis (Director of Ford Racing Technology) thanking him for supporting the CART series and not bowing out of a series that made so many famous names. Including the names who left to the Invisibles for bags of cash.

Liz · 22 Nov 2002, 11:40 (Ref:434552)

I'll send him one today -- we have been loyal Ford people in our family since Henry J went out of business and this will be excellent reason to continue that fine tradition. And as soon as they come out with some good stickers, I'll make sure they are seen!

Liz · 22 Nov 2002, 15:41 (Ref:434730)

Except that I can't find his address. Where exactly IS Mr. Ford Autos located?

P.S. Their Ford Winners Circle Club is open only to Americans. I sent them an e-mail about that too.

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