Ford Performance Racing will run four cars in the V8 Supercars Championship from the start of the 2013 season after the team reached a multi-year agreement with Racing Entitlements Contract owner Charlie Schwerkolt to run his entry.
The deal ensures FPR will run four Falcon FG V8 Supercars in the main series for the first time in its history.
Schwerkolt’s entry will run under the same model as the current Rod Nash Racing entry which FPR campaigns on Nash’s behalf with driver David Reynolds.
The fourth entry will be built and maintained by FPR to the same level as the cars of Mark Winterbottom, Will Davison and Reynolds and will be a fully integrated part of the factory Ford team.
FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards said the team’s expansion to four cars has been a long-held desire and comes at the perfect time with the impending introduction of the Car of the Future program.
“We are very pleased that Charlie has chosen FPR to run his entry from next season as not only is he a great friend of the team, it is well known we have a long-held desire to be a four car team,” Edwards said.
“Regardless of the economic benefit of running four cars, rather than two or three, having an additional car from next season will be vital when it comes to collecting data on the new Car of the Future chassis.
“An extra car-worth of data will give us the best chance to quickly get the most out of the new cars we will all be running next year.”
Schwerkolt was pleased to conclude the deal with FPR so early in the year as it allows him the necessary time to secure commercial backing and evaluate all possible driver options.
“I am very pleased to align myself with FPR as for me it is by far the best place to position my licence for 2013 and beyond.” Schwerkolt said.
“Tim and Rod Nash have been friends for many years and I am very proud to finally be aligned with the FPR and Ford brands.
“This sport is about people and FPR seem to have the right mix throughout the whole team. I believe whoever ends up driving my car will be in one of the best seats possible on the grid.”
Ford Performance Racing is currently having its best-ever season and sits atop the Team Championship table after recording nine wins from 11 championship races including wins in the last seven successive races.
