Just found the followong article on v8 Supercars site.
Rod Nash Racing (RNR) and sponsor The Bottle-O will shift alliances in 2010, running a Falcon V8 Supercar with Ford Performance Racing (FPR).
RNR's move will see FPR expand to a three-car team, and while a driver for The Bottle-O Falcon is not locked in, it is has been confirmed all three cars will operate from FPR's factory in Campbellfield, Melbourne and be positioned together in pitlane.
Edwards will remain Team Principal for the two FPR licences and Rod Nash remains Team Principal for RNR's licence.
RNR's partnership with FPR runs for three years and The Bottle-O has extended its sponsorship with the RNR entry for an extra year so that it runs for the same length of time.
The deal is a major coup for Rod Nash Racing, which debuted in V8 Supercars in 1998 and in recent years has run a Walkinshaw-prepared Commodore.
It also means the Ford side of the V8 field gains an extra car, which is good news for Blue Oval fans considering TeamVodafone switches from Ford to Holden at the start of next year, tipping the field in Holden's favour.
Nash, who has a background in Speedway, said that over the last 12 years his team has used a variety of running options.
Securing The Bottle-O sponsorship has given us a boost to pursue greater competiveness, both on and off track, to better service our team and bring in the results, he said.
With the recent measures to reduce staff you've got to be smarter with how you spread your resources and levels of personnel.
We needed to better utilise that, especially with engineering, and running three cars makes that possible.
Nash said he and Edwards discussed all of those points and decided an association to operate as a truly competitive three-car team just made the best sense.
"We have entered into a three-year contract with FPR and are very happy to now be part of this successful race team, he said.
I'm really happy with the quality of the engineering and FPR has been adding specialist resources to be able to build on the great track record they've already got.
"We're looking forward to working with Tim's crew and achieving some great results in this next term.
Australian Liquor Marketers General Marketing Manager, Scott Marshall, said The Bottle-O was more than excited to team up with FPR.
It's a big step-up not just in sponsorship commitment, but in the level of awareness being aligned to a factory race team as well; it will take the program to a whole new level, he said.
We're investing more money so we definitely will expand the program and how we leverage it.
This is our third year as a V8 sponsor technically, although the first two years were just secondary.
Marshall said his organisation's sponsorship in V8 Supercars has so far been a great experience for the brand.
The demographic for V8s really matches our target market, he said.
Our growth has been substantial since we entered.
The brand is only three years old and we're at over 280 branded Bottle-O outlets and growing.
Edwards said the team's intention is to have all three cars regularly challenging for podium positions.
For us, running three cars is the right business model and to be able to run three competitive cars gives us one more chance of getting a great result at every race meeting, he said.
This won't be a standalone operation; it's logistically much better for us to operate three cars all together as one unit. We believe that will get us the best result.
The announcement follows the most successful event of the year for FPR driver Mark Winterbottom.
He scored the most points from the Nikon SuperGP, got pole position on Saturday and won his first race of the year, all while battling glandular fever.







Displaying 1 to 20 of 21 replies
There have been 21 replies to this Discussion Topic:
john neubacher 3:00 pm October 27th 2009
Thats fantastic news. I woner who the driver is.
Lozza 3:09 pm October 27th 2009
After Ford announcing that they would not try and poach a Holden team… they go and do this.
Interesting….
Marilee Rixon 3:12 pm October 27th 2009
Hmm… It will be interesting to see who the other driver is, and whether or not FPR and RNR will actually be competitive next year. I wonder if FPR’s performance will be affected by the addition of a new car - think about it: time spent on the two current FPR cars will be cut so that time can be spent on the new one…
LOWNDES 888 3:31 pm October 27th 2009
Does car #777 in 2008 ring any bells here? LAUGHING STOCK!!! or was that just the driver?
Muz... 3:38 pm October 27th 2009
The issue of taking time away from cars #5 and #6 will not be an issue, with increasing their workload, one would naturally assume that more mechanics etc will be employed - or the current RNR ones will still have a job.
This isn’t FPR gaining a licence, the team is still RNR, except the car will be set up and engineered by FPR. I think the pace of this car may surprise a few people next year.
Marilee Rixon 4:02 pm October 27th 2009
I guess you’re right, Muz, about the taking time away from the other cars.
Hey, has anyone else seen the concept drawing on V8SC website? It’s green…. For now.
David Wood 5:22 pm October 27th 2009
Come on down, James Moffat…
Darth 5:43 pm October 27th 2009
James would be my pick also David
Emma-Belle 5:48 pm October 27th 2009
I suppose they need as many Ford’s as they can get!
Casey Phoenix 6:33 pm October 27th 2009
Yes to David’s suggestion!
*chants* Mofffat… Moffat…. Moffat….
*also wants Steve Owen to get a driver, but pref in a Holden*
Rix 7:04 pm October 27th 2009
This can only be a good thing I think.
Casey Phoenix 7:17 pm October 27th 2009
Wasn’t one of my favourite teams either; if I’m losing a Holden, you can have that one.
What a trade! CL and Jamie for a driverless team!
john neubacher 7:33 pm October 27th 2009
Im sure the driver they get will be a good one and kick Holdens butts next year. Go Fords
Jessiie~Car 7:35 pm October 27th 2009
I have a funny feeling it might be Andrew Thompson…..
I was told at the start of this year that the Bottle-o car was ment to go over this year With Thomo as the driver but ford didnt get the licence in time so it had to wait a year!
Casey Phoenix 7:36 pm October 27th 2009
Thommo’s shown potential at times… still think Moffat would be a better choice.
LOWNDES 888 8:20 pm October 27th 2009
Moffat would have a great following straight off the bat i think….
Marilee Rixon 8:34 pm October 27th 2009
Isn’t Marcus Marshall still looking for a drive for next year? Moffat would be an obvious choice for RNR, and I’d prefer him over Thompson.
David Wood 8:56 am October 28th 2009
scuttlebutt around the place seems to suggest that Mr Thompson seems to be in the box seat for the gig, and I agree with Casey, he has shown some real promise at times. His last crack at the maingame wasn’t in the best of cars so it would be interesting to see how he goes in a full spec FPR car.
Personally, I think it would be great if Moffat did get the nod, however whilst he is quick - he does have a habit of falling off the road. I guess this years Fujistu series is hard to judge. Moffat has a 2008 Spec T8 BF at his disposal. Is it the car or the driver ? I guess there is only one way to find out !
kully 11:43 am November 12th 2009
how about jonathon webb he is first in the Fujitsu Series and he won round 5 and 6 and has got more than 200 points in every other round this year
i think he is the best choice for the 55 fpr car next year
does anyone agree with me?
JamiesSeat 11:53 am November 12th 2009
Dont jump on me but I have read that it is DUMBRELL who is going to be driving the 55 Car.
There has been a press release stating Dumbrell is leaving Walkinshaw racing at the end of 2009. http://www.hsv.com.au/hsv/press/default.aspx?ID=1134
http://www.v8supercars.com.au/content/hero_news/november_2009/scoop_dumbrell_confirms_third_fpr_car/ Next years driver for FPR