Ford New Zealand and Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) today announced an exciting new association that will see the Kiwi-based V8 Supercar team pilot a Ford Falcon in the 2007 Australian V8 Supercar Championship.

"We are delighted to welcome TKR to the Ford family and look forward to a long and successful association with them," said Richard Matheson, Managing Director Ford New Zealand.

"Our loyal customers and fans have told us that they would love to see Ford New Zealand support a NZ team and driver in the Australian V8 Championship, and we believe this sponsorship with the New Zealand's national motorsport team complements our other associations with the national rugby and netball sides."

TKR Team Owner David John is excited about the opportunities the alliance with Ford will bring.

"We established TKR in late 2000 as New Zealand's first-ever full time V8 Supercar team and we remain committed to our charter of providing opportunities for talented Kiwi drivers and mechanics," said John.

Since its debut in 2000 as a privateer team, TKR has secured a pole position, a podium finish and numerous top ten results in the Australian V8 Championship. The team has also won three New Zealand Championship titles.

"This association with Ford New Zealand will provide TKR with the right assistance and technical support that we believe will bring us our best opportunity to reward our loyal TKR fans with race wins," said John.

The TKR Falcon and new TKR staff will benefit from a technical alliance with Ford Performance Racing (FPR)

As one of Ford's leading teams in 2006, FPR has enjoyed a very successful season including race wins and round podiums - FPR drivers Jason Bright and Mark Winterbottom are currently placed 8th and 5th respectively in the Championship.

"Ford New Zealand were seeking a stronger involvement in the Australian Championship and as FPR is closely aligned with Ford and possesses one of the country's leading technical facilities, it was a logical extension for FPR to have an alliance with TKR," said Rod Barrett, FPR Commercial Director.

"The TKR Falcon will be identical to the two FPR Falcons that will compete in the 2007 Championship - all of which were designed and built in-house by FPR.

"We will provide our engineering expertise and support to TKR with dedicated TKR staff both at the circuit and between events, however the team will operate from separate pit garages at race events," said Barrett.

The TKR driver for 2007 will be the subject of a later announcement.

Hope they keep the RAT...he's not a bad bloke for a KIWI

Good to see, will that mean kiwis can fly now

Yeah the RAT is a good driver too, he just needs a decent machine to show his talent.