Ford Performance Racing (FPR) will field a car driven by reigning Formula Ford Champion Chaz Mostert in the final two V8 Supercar Development Series races of the 2011 season at Sandown and Homebush.
The factory Ford team is using the races to evaluate Mostert with a view to potentially entering the 19-year-old in the full Development Series next year.
FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards says Mostert’s rapid progression from karts to open-wheelers and more recently to V8 Supercars has been impressive and warrants a closer look.
“Chaz’s record in the junior ranks is impressive and to this point in his career he has attained results similar to those achieved by a young Mark Winterbottom, so he certainly has all the right foundations for a career in V8 Supercars,” Edwards said.
“We always watch the Development Series races to see what talent is emerging and in his first season Chaz has shown glimpses of brilliance, especially in the wet, against much more experienced opposition.
“By no means do we have anything locked away beyond these last two races of the year but we have a spare car so we thought it was the ideal opportunity to see up close what Chaz can do.
“We are doing so with a view to a long-term relationship so now he just has to make the most of the chance we’ve presented him with.”
FPR has been involved with a Development Series entry on two previous occasions, most recently last season where it prepared the car driven by James Moffat.
Mostert is grateful to Edwards and FPR for providing him with the opportunity and hopes good performances in the final two races will lead to a full-time Development Series drive with the factory Ford team in 2012.
“I am really ecstatic to be working with FPR. I have dreamed about driving for the factory Ford team since I started racing so to be part of it, even for a couple of races, is just amazing,” Mostert said.
“I’ve grown up liking Fords, won the Formula Ford series and have raced a Falcon all year so to now be in a factory-prepared car is great. My job is to learn as much as I can and bring the car home straight.
“I also want to thank Miles Racing as without their efforts I would not be in the position I find myself in. My plan now is to make FPR proud and secure a seat with them next year.”
Mostert will be engineered by FPR stalwart David Paterson who has worked with Paul Dumbrell across the last two seasons.
The next Development Series race is the Norton 360 Sandown Challenge from 18-20 November at Sandown followed by the final race of the year, the Sydney Telstra 500 at Homebush on 2-4 December.
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