Ford has turned its back on Australian motorsport, cutting ties with a team that brought it back-to-back Bathurst victories.

The manufacturer announced on Monday that it would no longer support the Ford Performance Racing V8 Supercars team beyond the 2015 season, a result of its transformation from local manufacturer to an importer of foreign products.

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood says investing in overseas-sourced cars "made it difficult to renew our V8 Supercars team sponsorship".

"We know this is going to create some emotion," he says.

"We think V8 Supercars is a very credible series, but what we have to do is look at our expanding range of vehicles and bring in a much more diverse line up for customers. We're not just looking at one solution."

Ford Performance Racing chief executive Tim Edwards says Ford's decision not to continue support was "extremely disappointing for our large and loyal fan base".

"We have enjoyed a highly-successful relationship with Ford Australia with just shy of 50 race wins, 150 podiums and the last two Bathurst 1000 crowns together," Edwards says.

"Now that we know where we stand we can further develop other opportunities. We have a range of options, some existing and some that were awaiting this decision, so we can now begin to explore these further."

The sport's chief executive, James Warburton, told V8supercars.com.au he is disappointed with the decision.

"We understand things are tough at Ford at the moment, but were hopeful they would continue to see the enormous brand value our sport has to them, not to mention decades of Blue Oval racing heritage – particularly at a time when we are growing so strongly," he says.

"We look forward to welcoming Ford back to our sport at some time in the future."

V8 Supercars will soon reveal a new set of rules that could entice support from a broader range of manufacturers by allowing teams to field cars with a variety of engine and body layouts that goes beyond the current variety of V8-powered four-door sedans.

But Ford will not be part of that, and that the brand has dumped motorsport for the foreseeable future.

"This is our plan moving forward," Sherwood says.

"This is not a short term plan. We do not have any racing plans at this point."

Ford marketing chief David Katic told Drive last week that the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" idiom was outdated, and that customers were not influenced by on-track activities.

Ford will continue to offer support to FPR in 2015 when it races the new FG X Falcon.

source: www.smh.com.au

are they also out of any form of racing in the usa & uk??

nope just AUS for the V8sc....

i highly doubt any team will run Fords from 2017... with little to no support from ford
unless the new rules will allow for the 2016 cars to run in 2017 ...


Ford had a golden opportunity with 888... they pulled out
888 went to holden and now is red bull and look where they are now

Ford made a mistake AGAIN!

This is sad.

probs gunna kill myself. y would they quit? they just won the last 2 Bathurts 1000 races, THEY'RE COMING BACK!! there on a roll lol