Expect to see a new, slicker Ford Performance Racing in this year’s V8 Supercars Championship.
A number of off-season changes, including the introduction of an engineering manager to the factory Ford team has given its drivers – new and old – reason to smile.
Long-time Holden engineer Matt ‘Techo’ Nilsson has been installed as the team’s engineering manager, taking control of FPR’s behind the scenes actions – an aspect of the team that has cost them stronger results in the past.
Orrcon Steel FPR driver Mark Winterbottom says that he has two clear goals for the 2011 V8 season.
“This is our best chance of winning,” he told Speedcafe.com.au.
“The two things that are missing are Bathurst and championship next to my name. Really, that’s the goal this year.
“It’s Campbell (Little’s) second year with us, which will be an improvement. We’ve got Matt Nilsson on board who fills a gap where we’ve struggled before. We’ve seen double ups in pit stops and mistakes, so he’ll be in charge of all those areas. We need him in that role.
“Everything looks like it’s going in the right direction.”
Will Davison, who replaces Steve Richards in the team’s #6 entry, that he is comfortable with the decision he has made to switch from the Toll Holden Racing Team to FPR this year.
“I felt, engineering wise, they were going to have great cars. It was too good a deal for me to pass down,” the Trading Post-backed driver said.
“I’m sure I’ll gel here with Frosty. He’s clearly one of the benchmark guys in the category. I know he’ll be tough to be beat and I hope to take the team up another level.”
See below for Speedcafe.com.au’s exclusive video with Winterbottom, Davison and Nilsson.
