FORD BOSS RENEWS SUPERCARS RIVALRY

The man who lured Triple Eight to Ford believes it will be a good move for competition in Supercars.

Mark Rushbrook says General Motors has renewed its commitment in the fall-out from the explosive defection, with more direct support from the USA for the Chevrolet Camaro program.

“I think the global team from GM will be more involved," says Rushbrook, during a rapid-fire visit to the Australian Grand Prix.

“It’s good to see that, yes, they are committed to the series.”

It was Rushbrook, the global director of Ford Performance Motorsport, who first talked to Triple Eight boss Jamie Whincup at Bathurst last year and then fast-tracked the Brisbane company's defection from GM to the blue oval brand.

He is clearly pleased with signing the benchmark team in Supercars, and bringing it back to the brand where Roland Dane's Australian adventure began in 2003 with Falcons from what was Briggs Motorsport.

Rushbrook confirmed Ford's commitment to Australian motorsport, talking about programs in both GT3 and GT4 sports cars, but focussed on the reaction from GM to the T8 move.

"We're seeing a change. They are committed to staying in the sport, and they are taking those steps . . . financial and technical.

"That’s what we want. Yes, Ford wants to win races and championships, but not agains a weak competitor.

"I don’t want to have an unfair advantage. I want it to be heads-up racing."

He is also aware of the importance of the blue-versus-red rivalry in Supercars, which tracks back to Ford-against-Holden since the 1970s, even with Toyota joining the competition with its Supra in 2026.

“It’s great for fans to see that rivalry," says Rushbrook.

Looking beyond Supercars, and the current championship where Cam Waters is leading the Mustang runners despite a poor weekend at Albert Park, Rushbrook confirmed expansion plans in 2025 and beyond.

"The anchor is Supercars but we will we do more than that. Absolutely," he says.

“We love what’s already been building. There has been great acceptance."

He focussed on the GT3 and GT4 versions of the Mustang, as well as the Dark Horse R which could grow into a one-make series in Australia.

"We want to see a lot of those Dark Horse Rs competing here. I think we will sell many cars here," he says.

"There is a lot of interest from Supercars teams and also gentleman racers currently driving Porsches."

Despite his enthusiastic comments, Rushbrook had nothing to add – for now – on the timing of Triple Eight's switch to the Homologation Team role at Ford, or official acceptance of the move.

“Timing is TBD (To Be Determined). But the basic principle for 2025 racing is DJR," he says.

“T8 will take anything relating to 2026. It wouldn’t be in their interst to make the car better for 2025, because they will be racing against it."