2 Dec 2014

Ford confirms exit

6:20 am on 2 December 2014

The official Ford vs Holden rivalry in Australian motorsport has just one year to go, after Ford Australia confirmed it will end its financial support for V8 Supercars from the end of next year.

Prodrive Racing Australia uses the racing name Ford Performance Racing, a team that has operated as Ford's primary team since 2003.

Ford's Blue Oval is reportedly set to depart the Australian V8 Supercar series.

Ford's Blue Oval is reportedly set to depart the Australian V8 Supercar series. Photo: Supplied

Prodrive Racing released a statement on the team's website yesterday, confirming it had been informed by Ford Australia of the decision to end its involvement in the championship.

Prodrive chief executive Tim Edwards says Ford Australia's decision to not extend its commercial relationship with their team beyond the end of next season is extremely disappointing for their large and loyal fan base, but as a business this decision now allows them to concentrate on their long-term future.

Edwards says they'll run the new FG X Falcon next season as planned with support from Ford, and they'll possibly campaign the car in 2016 ahead of the major regulation changes coming from 2017.

Stories emerged on the eve of this year's Bathurst 1000 that Ford was considering getting out of V8 Supercars - the manufacturer stated that a decision on the its future in the sport would be made before the end of 2014.

Ford only provides financial support to FPR, while assisting Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) on a parts supply agreement.

Six Ford Falcons are expected to contest the 2015 season - FPR's four entries plus single vehicles from Super Black Racing and DJR Team Penske.

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