The anniversary of when Henry Ford built and raced a car which put him on the road to becoming a global automotive giant fell on the same day there was heightened awareness about Ford’s on-going involvement in V8s. On October 10, 1901 the Ford Sweepstakes car was responsible for putting what would become the blue oval maker on a path to becoming a car company two years later. The victory saw Ford claim $1000 in prizemoney and a glass trophy which would see the first building blocks of what would become the Ford Motor Company following the building of the 999 and Arrow racing cars.
The anniversary came on a day when there remained an air of uncertainty about whether Ford Australia will recommit to a further extension of its contract with FPR. Ford Performance Racing has committed to homologating the new FG X Falcon for V8 Supercars competition in 2015, despite a lack of confirmed future backing from the manufacturer.
While FPR has previously stressed that it would not give the FG X the green light until it reaches a new deal with Ford, FPR has now confirmed to V8 Supercars its intention to homologate the new model. Ford has continued a line of non-commitment to FPR and V8 Supercars, saying it will announce its future direction at the end of the current season. V8 Supercars officials are known to be lobbying Ford to keep the Blue Oval in the sport, stressing the importance of maintaining its racing heritage.
