Ford recommits to FPR

FPR repaid Ford's confidence the next day when Mark Winterbottom won a nail-biting Supercheap 1000, his and FPR's first victory at Mount Panorama.

Ford has been a primary supporter of FPR since the team's foundation 11 years ago, with the new deal covering funding for 2014, with a possible extension to 2015, although this was not confirmed by Ford at Bathurst.

"We are pleased to continue our association with FPR," Graziano said in Saturday's announcement.

"We have always had a very strong and positive relationship with the team, its principals and its drivers, and we look forward to building on that.

"Our most important priority right now though is to regain our dominance of the mountain this weekend."

FPR Chief Executive Officer and Team Principal, Tim Edwards, welcomed Fords continued presence and believes the company's commitment to the sport highlights the strength of the overall category.

"Everyone at the team is of course very pleased to see our close relationship with Ford continue and to keep representing the company as its official factory team in V8 Supercars," Edwards said.

"We enjoy the support of very passionate fans because of our Ford relationship and our team and commercial partners enjoy being associated with one of the world's iconic brands.

"Having Ford recommit to the team is obviously what we wanted. It has been a busy year for both parties with lots of changes in both of our businesses. The continuation means it is simply back to business as usual for everyone."

"This is fantastic news for the FPR team and the legions of Blue Oval fans, V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton added. "As the Car of the Future platform continues to attract newcomers to the grid, it's terrific that Ford has confirmed its ongoing commitment."

www.fpr.com.au has further details, plus post-race stories from the Bathurst weekend.