According to V8 Supercars Hall of Famer John Bowe, it would be ‘crazy’ for Ford to withdraw from the category after this season.
Currently, the Blue Oval is financially backing only one team, its factory team Ford Performance Racing, under a three-year deal that wraps up before 2014.
Last month, Ford announced that it will stop manufacturing cars in Australia by October 2016, which will mark the end of the 56-year-old Falcon nameplate.
There has been considerable speculation regarding which model Ford might race following the Falcon’s discontinuation; however, the company has yet to determine the future of its Australian racing participation beyond this year.
Ford Australia president Bob Graziano conveyed to V8 Supercars’ official website last week that if the numbers do not add up, the racing budget will be cut.
Bowe, who claimed two Bathurst 1000s and an Australian Touring Car Championship driving for Ford, cautioned that a pattern of sporadically committing to motorsport could severely damage the brand’s following in Australia precisely when it needs loyalty the most.
“Honestly, I think it would be absolutely crazy for Ford to walk away from it,” stated Bowe.
“Touring car racing and V8 Supercars have been integral to Ford lovers’ culture in this country for generations and are also part of Ford’s global identity.
“It has been inconsistent over various years, and the issue is they struggle to know when to commit and when to withdraw. They should stay put, and if they don’t, they risk their own downfall.
“Even though they will no longer manufacture in Australia, which is understandable, their market presence will remain substantial.
“They might even achieve a stronger market position, but they will need ongoing public affinity for the brand, and halting racing could alienate many fans.”
While Bowe firmly believes that continuing with FPR is essential, he emphasizes that Ford needs to financially support Dick Johnson Racing, having only provided material support in past seasons.
“Abandoning Dick Johnson to fend for himself was a deeply misguided decision,” remarked Bowe, who was behind the wheel for DJR from 1988 to 1998 and currently has no formal association with the team.
“Historically, no drivers in this country have been raised to the status that Dick Johnson and Peter Brock have achieved.
“We’ve had champions since then, and I was one of them, but I’m not in the league of Dick Johnson or Peter Brock.
“A manufacturer like Ford could gain tremendous benefits from DJR, but they must have the right personnel in place to capitalize on that. That is the crux of the matter.”
Before his tenure with DJR and Ford, Bowe experienced brief periods with the Volvo and Nissan factory teams.
Coincidentally, Nissan has returned to the championship this year under the Car of the Future regulations, while Volvo is also anticipated to participate in 2014 through a yet-to-be-confirmed agreement with Garry Rogers Motorsport.
“I fully support the idea of more manufacturers getting involved, and I believe Volvo fits the category quite well,” said Bowe regarding a potential fifth entrant for 2014.
“It has never been easier for manufacturers to enter, and there is no better way to enhance your brand image than through motorsport; it creates excitement and pride among dealers and customers alike.”
Currently, Bowe competes in a Ford Mustang in the Touring Car Masters, leading the points standings as he pursues a third consecutive title ahead of Round 3 at Hidden Valley this weekend.
