***Ford to be killed off V8 Supercars circuit at end of 2015***

[vztrt]

Not that fussed with the pulling of funding. But I bet V8SC would be very worried if the brand leaves completely. Losing 33% of the fan base cant be good for a category that is dying.

Personaly lost interest in the Ford brand and unless there is a new Terri or Falcon in the driveway before closure the brand will really not get much of a look in from me. The announcemnet really didn't bother me.

[ParisManfred]

Originally Posted by OZQUAD44

This just sucks, losing the falcon sucks, no ford representation in motor racing sucks, the general apathy of so called "Australian ford enthusiasts" on an Australian ford forum sucks, and worst of all the total disregard by the parent company of the greatest rear wheel drive sedan ford has ever produced.... It just Sucks

As some bright spark once said, Stand for something or fall for anything. I have stood for the Falcon for many years. I believed in the Falcon, what it represented, and the rich history of Australian Motorsport it helped create. I took my hat off to the many people behind the falcon, and the quality of the car they produced despite the meagre budgets allocated to each model. I applauded the high Australian content in each car, an achievement that never got the air time it deserved.

I cursed reading reviews of the Falcon by so called journalists who clearly had a FoA axe to grind, or had their pay checks provided by the opposition. I looked on with great suspicion at Motorsport officialdom who managed to introduce rules which managed to hobble the Falcon just prior to the great race, or alternatively never seem to react when the falcon aero package was clearly inferior to what was applied to other makes.

I was always proud of the way blue oval race teams, in a sea of red, managed to claw their way to the top of the podium despite being out numbered, out supported, and out financed. And I have always been proud of how long the falcon nameplate survived in Australia despite poor government policy, short sighted unions, a strong Australian dollar, poor marketing of the product, at times poor dealer service, and a parent company who clearly does not give a toss.

Unfortunately, I am part of a dying breed in this country. Someone who wants to buy an Australian rear wheel drive sedan. Even if it means I get no lane departure warning, I have to reverse parallel park all by myself, or have to endure a seating position that is ever so slightly different to other cars..... God forbid! I think a few too many of us have been living a little to high on the pig of late, and I suspect we have lost our way a little.

So, yes, I lament the loss of the Falcon, and I lament the loss of Ford from Australian motor sport, and I'm ****ed that I am so disappointed about the loss of the falcon but it appears not many other Aussies share this view.

But I have determined it's not all bad:

No longer will I have to endure one sided automotive media "reviews" by people who don't give a toss or completely missed the point,
No longer will I have to care about a car because after 2016 they are all "fridges" to me,
No longer will I have to ruin my weekends sitting inside watching V8 super cars,
No longer will I have to put up with lousy ford dealer service departments, and
There is a good chance my Falcon in the shed will start appreciating in value.

Good luck to anyone who got to the bottom of this post. No insult intended to anyone in particular. I suspect I'm just getting old!








Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

This would have to be the best post I have read regarding Ford's withdrawl.

Well thought out, very well written. A pleasure to read.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by Grum

Ford's lack of leadership, enthusiasm, foresight, tradition and passion is a joke. Not the first time they have made monumentally bad business decisions and it won't be the last.

The (rest of) the world has changed and while Australia was sheltered for the longest time, it's finally caught up with us and things are moving at a frightening speed.

IMO Ford Oz (or Fomoco) had an epiphany around the time of the BF, but there was a certain amount of umm-ing and ahh-ing (along with the GFC) then the 'let's roll the (somewhat safe) dice one more time' with FG.

FoA is now trying to make up for lost time while trying to get on the front foot and distinguish itself from it's competitors. That's a difficult enough task in general, without throwing in the fact the Aussie car market is brutal.

We may not all agree with their goal (overall) or the way they're trying to achieve that goal but IMO there is enthusiasm, (newfound) foresight and passion (things are just a bit hit and miss ATM as FoA finds it's feet)

Coming back to my original point, with the world changing as quickly as it is, there's very little time for tradition (unfortunately) from now on, the one constant is well and truly change.

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by Guzz226

The name V8Supercars and branding is changing after this weekend.........

Have they announced the new name yet?

[responsef6]

Originally Posted by OZQUAD44

This just sucks, losing the falcon sucks, no ford representation in motor racing sucks, the general apathy of so called "Australian ford enthusiasts" on an Australian ford forum sucks, and worst of all the total disregard by the parent company of the greatest rear wheel drive sedan ford has ever produced.... It just Sucks

As some bright spark once said, Stand for something or fall for anything. I have stood for the Falcon for many years. I believed in the Falcon, what it represented, and the rich history of Australian Motorsport it helped create. I took my hat off to the many people behind the falcon, and the quality of the car they produced despite the meagre budgets allocated to each model. I applauded the high Australian content in each car, an achievement that never got the air time it deserved.

I cursed reading reviews of the Falcon by so called journalists who clearly had a FoA axe to grind, or had their pay checks provided by the opposition. I looked on with great suspicion at Motorsport officialdom who managed to introduce rules which managed to hobble the Falcon just prior to the great race, or alternatively never seem to react when the falcon aero package was clearly inferior to what was applied to other makes.

I was always proud of the way blue oval race teams, in a sea of red, managed to claw their way to the top of the podium despite being out numbered, out supported, and out financed. And I have always been proud of how long the falcon nameplate survived in Australia despite poor government policy, short sighted unions, a strong Australian dollar, poor marketing of the product, at times poor dealer service, and a parent company who clearly does not give a toss.

Unfortunately, I am part of a dying breed in this country. Someone who wants to buy an Australian rear wheel drive sedan. Even if it means I get no lane departure warning, I have to reverse parallel park all by myself, or have to endure a seating position that is ever so slightly different to other cars..... God forbid! I think a few too many of us have been living a little to high on the pig of late, and I suspect we have lost our way a little.

So, yes, I lament the loss of the Falcon, and I lament the loss of Ford from Australian motor sport, and I'm ****ed that I am so disappointed about the loss of the falcon but it appears not many other Aussies share this view.

But I have determined it's not all bad:

No longer will I have to endure one sided automotive media "reviews" by people who don't give a toss or completely missed the point,
No longer will I have to care about a car because after 2016 they are all "fridges" to me,
No longer will I have to ruin my weekends sitting inside watching V8 super cars,
No longer will I have to put up with lousy ford dealer service departments, and
There is a good chance my Falcon in the shed will start appreciating in value.

Good luck to anyone who got to the bottom of this post. No insult intended to anyone in particular. I suspect I'm just getting old!








Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Thank you for reading my mind and writing it out for me. My sentiments exactly.

Ford Australia and falcon is my life, my identity, my passion. Falcons in v8 supercars is the pinnacle of the falcon brand where we can direct our passion and love for the falcon with our fellow brothers.

I have raced a falcon saloon car for the last 7 years and I can't describe the depth of my pride in the falcon, road or race, that I have, and the fellowship with other Ford mates and racers.

I am gutted. I hear you man.

Sadly my 1 year old son will miss the father son v8 supercar fan experience that I'd hoped to share with him as he grew up. He will never really understand it now.

Footy, cricket etc just doesn't do it for me. V8 supercars with FORD on the windscreen is where it's been at.

Sadly no more, just one kick in the guts after another.

Long live the Falcon, in our garages and on our roads

[LoudPipes]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Yes Loudpipes this is true, as a business, particularly in the US under Mullally, they did so well. That they didn't go to chapter 11 or get restructured destroying bondholders and giving 1/3 of the new entity to the union was a bonus. And global new product will be released without the duplication. However, in OneFord there are some anomalies, the F Series is protected inside the US from Ranger, Ford Brazil are permitted to make unique-to-their-market models. FOA were sacrificed on the altar as part of this restructure. And any business should be mindful of it's customers, including those driven by emotion to its products.

Watching what's been going on to FOA in recent years has been an excellent "how not to" to observe in running any business. It's more biting when one considers the strength of Ford of Canada in their market - a country that is a lot like ours in many ways (small population, Western, Westminster law, resources, high wage, Ford manufacturing plants there).

Canada shares a border with the parent country and is Left Hand Drive which helps them immensely.

Australia’s population is about 23 million, Canada’s isn’t much bigger at 35 million and for some perspective, California is 38 million.

I think it's understood in hindsight Ford has been pulling out of Australia for years, it’s only the offical announcement that is recent.

As I said time will tell and if only Australia fails under the new market strategy, Ford globally won’t suffer much at all.

As cold as it is for the enthusiasts, that’s business.

With the move next year of some V8 races to Pay TV, that will have just as big an impact on the sport.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by darkside

that could mean that both companies will be looking for differant drive trains if they stay in this category at all

that would make sense. Nissan have been lobbying for smaller capacity turbo engines, and that's a format manufacturers like Hyundai would probably be more interested in.

[CQB-241]

Originally Posted by OZQUAD44

This just sucks, losing the falcon sucks, no ford representation in motor racing sucks, the general apathy of so called "Australian ford enthusiasts" on an Australian ford forum sucks, and worst of all the total disregard by the parent company of the greatest rear wheel drive sedan ford has ever produced.... It just Sucks

As some bright spark once said, Stand for something or fall for anything. I have stood for the Falcon for many years. I believed in the Falcon, what it represented, and the rich history of Australian Motorsport it helped create. I took my hat off to the many people behind the falcon, and the quality of the car they produced despite the meagre budgets allocated to each model. I applauded the high Australian content in each car, an achievement that never got the air time it deserved.

I cursed reading reviews of the Falcon by so called journalists who clearly had a FoA axe to grind, or had their pay checks provided by the opposition. I looked on with great suspicion at Motorsport officialdom who managed to introduce rules which managed to hobble the Falcon just prior to the great race, or alternatively never seem to react when the falcon aero package was clearly inferior to what was applied to other makes.

I was always proud of the way blue oval race teams, in a sea of red, managed to claw their way to the top of the podium despite being out numbered, out supported, and out financed. And I have always been proud of how long the falcon nameplate survived in Australia despite poor government policy, short sighted unions, a strong Australian dollar, poor marketing of the product, at times poor dealer service, and a parent company who clearly does not give a toss.

Unfortunately, I am part of a dying breed in this country. Someone who wants to buy an Australian rear wheel drive sedan. Even if it means I get no lane departure warning, I have to reverse parallel park all by myself, or have to endure a seating position that is ever so slightly different to other cars..... God forbid! I think a few too many of us have been living a little to high on the pig of late, and I suspect we have lost our way a little.

So, yes, I lament the loss of the Falcon, and I lament the loss of Ford from Australian motor sport, and I'm ****ed that I am so disappointed about the loss of the falcon but it appears not many other Aussies share this view.

But I have determined it's not all bad:

No longer will I have to endure one sided automotive media "reviews" by people who don't give a toss or completely missed the point,
No longer will I have to care about a car because after 2016 they are all "fridges" to me,
No longer will I have to ruin my weekends sitting inside watching V8 super cars,
No longer will I have to put up with lousy ford dealer service departments, and
There is a good chance my Falcon in the shed will start appreciating in value.

Good luck to anyone who got to the bottom of this post. No insult intended to anyone in particular. I suspect I'm just getting old!








Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Summarises Why I am here now having finally found a Ford dealership not filled and run by ********* (why did it take 20 years?) with dry ink on a FGX XR8 order and missing my old XR and XW GTs, GT Cortinas, Escort, Fairmont and Territory....all Australian, and until now all obtained used.

[Guzz226]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Have they announced the new name yet?

Not as far as I know - perhaps this weekend at Sydney as part of the gen II whitepaper or afterwards during the off season

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by sprint347dave

who or what is Geelong cats ???

Ford sponsorship of the Geelong FC has been going for 89 years, if this one gets pulled it will be felt a lot harder than the V8SC funding withdraw.
Ford's current deal with the Geelong FC finishes at the end of 2016, its believed to be the longest running sports sponsorship in the world.

[GT450]

Before Ford manufacturing commenced in Australia Fords were racing and winning here and I am sure they will do in the future. It is helpful to have manufacturer support but not necessary and I do not see the need for all the doom and gloom written on here. How about thinking the glass is half full.
There will always be a band of supporters who follow the Blue Oval no matter what (me included ) and a smart operater will know this and capitalise on it ( Rod Nash & Rusty French ) so stop with the sorrows and look forward to Fords racing and winning in the future , because they will.
Of much greater signifigance is the demise of manufacturing here , that will be a sad sad day for many true blue bloods , but as for racing , Ford has a proud tradition and it will continue in one form or another.
GT450

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Ford sponsorship of the Geelong FC has been going for 89 years, if this one gets pulled it will be felt a lot harder than the V8SC funding withdraw.
Ford's current deal with the Geelong FC finishes at the end of 2016, its believed to be the longest running sports sponsorship in the world.

One of my favourite moments from the 2007 grand final was the skipper Tom Harley going out of his way to thank Ford during his post match speech. Toyota was not happy with that one...

[Spammy]

Please list all cars currently sold in Australia with V4 engines:
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news...203-3lr4d.html

[blueoval]

My guess is no one/very few will want to invest big dollars in developing a new engine, or body shape to the new rules if there are limited manufacturer sponsor funds. I suspect most will keep what they have and just tweak it from there.

[Grippy]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Have they announced the new name yet?

http://www.v8supercars.com.au/news/c...rcars-strategy

[blueoval]

Its not a new name but more so a new logo. Whoop de doo

The only thing I can see is the logo looking a little like a turbo

[Grippy]

The 'V8' part will surely be scrapped in 2017 when it isn't any longer an exclusively V8 powered series.

[galaxy xr8]

Red, Black and White colour scheme, fit’s in well with the Holden/HRT colour scheme......oops did I just say that.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

Red, Black and White colour scheme, fit’s in well with the Holden/HRT colour scheme......oops did I just say that.

That is something I didnt pick. Good spotting. They should have used green maybe?

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Or perhaps purple, ala as those working for Defence Material Organisation are referred to (a combination of the blue, white and khaki of the respective service uniforms)

Craig H

[Bucket]

I don't think Ford are completely gone. Factory support, yes. But private, No. I forsee a few XR8's sticking around. Mercedes don't back Erebus. Betty did that all under her own steam. The flat plane V8 from AMG, the Mercedes Skin, the whole lot.
SO- Don't expect to see the FG-X completely gone in the future. You may very well see it getting around for a while yet. I'd expect to see some Mustangs too. The beauty of the COTF platform is that it's made V8SC much cheaper to get into. Teams like Penske-DJR could keep the flag flying.

As for my bet on what V8 super cars will be called in the future; Australian Super Tourers/Australian Super car Championship

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Bucket

I don't think Ford are completely gone. Factory support, yes. But private, No. I forsee a few XR8's sticking around. Mercedes don't back Erebus. Betty did that all under her own steam. The flat plane V8 from AMG, the Mercedes Skin, the whole lot.
SO- Don't expect to see the FG-X completely gone in the future. You may very well see it getting around for a while yet. I'd expect to see some Mustangs too. The beauty of the COTF platform is that it's made V8SC much cheaper to get into. Teams like Penske-DJR could keep the flag flying.

As for my bet on what V8 super cars will be called in the future; Australian Super Tourers/Australian Super car Championship

You may be right but that still doesn't fix the lack of exposure V8SC will get going to Foxtel. Ford fans are disheartened now, what makes anyone think they are willing to dig deep and fork out for a foxtel subscription unless they were die hard V8 Fans in general? That is my issue. I hope Im proven wrong and there is something good to come out of it all for all viewers but especially Ford fans.

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by blueoval

You may be right but that still doesn't fix the lack of exposure V8SC will get going to Foxtel. Ford fans are disheartened now, what makes anyone think they are willing to dig deep and fork out for a foxtel subscription unless they were die hard V8 Fans in general? That is my issue. I hope Im proven wrong and there is something good to come out of it all for all viewers but especially Ford fans.

I completely agree with you on that. I'm ****ed that Foxtel seem determined to make the shows/events we want to watch so expensive. $25 gets you in the door, then before you know it, $35, $45 and you still get ads. Screw that.

[Blue Roo]

Originally Posted by Grippy

The 'V8' part will surely be scrapped in 2017 when it isn't any longer an exclusively V8 powered series.

After 2017. They (the Manufactures) will be trying to flog off the all new Electric Super Car Racing Series.

[Uncle_Ken]

Originally Posted by Blue Roo

After 2017. They (the Manufactures) will be trying to flog off the all new Electric Super Car Racing Series.

now this gave me an idea....

This way we can keep the old cars and they are electric (Ok maybe a bit small)

UK

[FalconXV]

Originally Posted by Bucket

I don't think Ford are completely gone. Factory support, yes. But private, No. I forsee a few XR8's sticking around. Mercedes don't back Erebus. Betty did that all under her own steam. The flat plane V8 from AMG, the Mercedes Skin, the whole lot.
SO- Don't expect to see the FG-X completely gone in the future. You may very well see it getting around for a while yet. I'd expect to see some Mustangs too. The beauty of the COTF platform is that it's made V8SC much cheaper to get into. Teams like Penske-DJR could keep the flag flying.

As for my bet on what V8 super cars will be called in the future; Australian Super Tourers/Australian Super car Championship

I think/hope you're right. But the question is if they want to continue after 2017, do they use an Ecoboost Mustang? or a Mondeo?
Also does this mean Nissan and Volvo can't use V8s anymore?
I think a 600hp Ecoboost Mondeo would be a cool entry , and maybe DJR could homologate a few road-going COTF chassis' to keep the enthusiasm going, and they could send them to Europe... just an idea.

Nissan would probably want to use the GTR engine in the Altima, and Volvo would want to use their new 300+kW 4-banger. It would be one of the most innovative and competitive world touring car series', but what will they rename it?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by mr smith

Hopefully they give the Geelong cats the flick as well...

They will never give that up, not unless they completely withdrew from Australia.

[Uncle_Ken]

Well they can't call it the ,... Australian Manufacturers' Championship

so maybe go back to Australian Endurance Championship? Group A cars?
UK

[blueoval]

Australian Supercar Series? or *** for short?

[fordman302]

I am not so much concerned for myself but for what my nearly 2 year old son will miss out on. I have been blessed with seeing so much great competition, so much passion and so much pride for what Ford Australia have achieved over he years. We haven't always had our own way a day at times it has been a non rewarding experience but we have always stuck by them, and although not being able to afford brand new cars I have always supported where I could by buying genuine parts and wearing the badge with pride. I'm not sure that Australian motorsport will ever be the same.