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SBR and FPR Start 2009 Talks

14 July 2008

Stone Brothers Racing played host to a contingent from Ford Performance Racing last week, the meeting marking the beginning of talks on how the two Ford teams will work together in 2009’s V8 Supercar Championship Series.

SBR team owners Ross and Jimmy Stone met with FPR’s Team Principal Tim Edwards, Chief Engineer Phil Keed and Engine Department Manager Brad Collins at SBR’s Yatala facility last Thursday following Ford’s announcement that the two teams will be t he primary focus of its motorsport sponsorship programme next year.

“It has only been a short time since Ford’s announcement so our talks with FPR are in the very early stages but last week’s meeting was the first step,” said Ross Stone.

“SBR and FPR are two very strong teams technically and while we are not looking to create a four-car team, it is smart business that we work out mutually beneficial arrangements that will strengthen both teams.”

Edwards echoed Stone’s comments.

“We’ll obviously be working a lot closer together from now on,” said Edwards. “Clearly there are issues with competitive confidentiality and we won’t be running four identical cars, but we’ll definitely be looking to explore each others strengths.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for SBR and its record in V8 Supercars and I’m sure we’ll work very well together. There are a lot of practicalities to be sorted out but yesterday’s meeting was a good starting point.”

SBR gave Edwards, Keed and Collins a tour of its facilities before sit-down talks on future collaborations, which lasted six hours.

Last week Ford Australia announced its plan to channel its 2009 direct motorsport sponsorship through two successful race teams, FPR and SBR. While the company will continue to provide race shells, crash panels and ongoing engineering support to other Ford teams, the move is designed to allow greater leveraging opportunities and strengthen fans’ association of performance success and the Ford brand. Ford's involvement in V8 Supercars will remain the company's single largest sponsorship and category investment.

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