FPR confirm Falcons to race in V8s in 2015

Ford’s last-ever Falcon will compete in V8 Supercars next season, but the Blue Oval’s involvement beyond that remains unclear.

Factory outfit Ford Performance Racing (FPR) has confirmed it will field four of the new FGX in 2015, with the support of the manufacturer.

It’s understood DJR Team Penske will also race two of the new models.

Reports emerged on Friday that Ford had already decided to pull out of the category and its multi-million dollar sponsorship of FPR.

But team boss Tim Edwards said they were still negotiating the renewal of its ongoing deal with them and expects a formal announcement in coming weeks.

“We will be supported by Ford next year,” Edwards told AAP.

“We will be racing Fords next year and we are currently negotiating with Ford about our renewal.

“We are working on the new FGX homologation – we’ve been working on it for some months.

“We’re looking forward to debuting the new Falcon next year.”

Ford’s future in the sport has been under a cloud since it called an end to its manufacturing in Australia by 2016 and retirement of the Falcon name.

It announced on the eve of last year’s Bathurst 1000 that it would continue its support of FPR, but the same commitment is unlikely to happen this weekend.

“It’s not ideal – you’d love to do everything earlier,” Edwards said.

“But, as it happens, most of our sponsorship renewals come at this time.

“It’s just that Ford’s a very public one.

“We’re currently negotiating with two or three of our other partners at the moment.”

Edwards, admittedly biased, said it was very important that Ford stay in V8 Supercars and continue the long-standing rivalry with Holden.

“They’re in integral part of this sport,” he added.

“While it’s great to see a few other manufacturers enter the sport, we all know that 90 per cent of our fans are still red and blue.

“It’s what you grew up, sitting on your grandad’s knee, watching Bathurst a long time ago.

“It’s hugely important (that they stay).”

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