MEDIA RELEASE 5 February 1998 Click
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BATHURST DRIVE GRAND PRIZE AS FORD LAUNCHES YOUTH PROGRAMFord today announced one of the most comprehensive junior driver development programs ever launched in Australia.Called the ‘Generation XR Program’, the Ford Motorsport initiative will see one up-and-coming motor racing star earn a drive in a Longhurst Racing team V8 Falcon at this year’s Primus 1000 Classic at Bathurst. In a far-sighted commitment to the development of Australia’s next generation of driving talent, the ‘Generation XR Program’ will also see three promising young drivers selected to participate in a new ‘mentor’ scheme coached by some of the biggest names in the sport. Also up for grabs for two drivers is a day’s testing aboard five-time Australian Champion Dick Johnson’s Shell Helix Falcon V8. The ‘Generation XR Program’ is designed to strengthen links between Ford’s V8 Supercar program and Australian motorsport’s most successful development ground, Formula Ford, according to Ford Motorsport Manager Greg Harbutt. "This linkage will add structure and meaning to our two major motorsport investments in Australia. "Ford recognises that the road to success in motorsport is not easy, even for the most talented youngsters, and the ‘Generation XR Program’ is about helping Australia’s top young drivers reach their goals. "With Formula Ford now regarded as the motor racing training ground, both locally and internationally, Ford is keen to cultivate links between motorsport’s future racing stars and ‘the blue oval’. "Formula Ford has launched the careers
of many of Australia’s top drivers … this year in V8 Supercar ranks, for
example, Ford will be represented by two former Formula Ford Champions
in Mark Larkham and Jason Bright.
Three high potential young Formula Ford drivers will also be selected after the second round of the championship (at Lakeside) to participate in the ‘mentor’ scheme which will help develop many of the skills racers need to further their careers. Each driver will be assigned to one of three Ford V8 Supercar teams (Shell Helix Racing, Ford Credit Racing and Stone Brothers Racing) as an ‘apprentice’, and will be coached on management-related topics including corporate sponsorship and media relations, as well as honing their on-track skills. Formula Ford Administrator Margaret Hardy has welcomed the new prize package as a major boost to Australia’s most successful open-wheel motor racing category. "The dilemma confronting many successful Formula Ford drivers is ‘what do I do after Formula Ford in Australia?’," Margaret Hardy says. "The ‘Generation XR Program’ gives the champion and placegetters the opportunity to experience Australia’s most elite form of motor racing, while the ‘mentor’ scheme helps three of our most promising drivers develop the skills that will prepare them for the world of professional motorsport … it’s the best of both worlds really. "It all adds to the prestige of the Australian Formula Ford Championship and that can only be a good thing for the development of Australian motorsport." Tony Longhurst is looking forward to seeing Australia’s best junior motor racing talent battle for the honour of racing one of his Ford Falcon V8 racers. "I’ve had a tremendous amount of enjoyment from motor racing over the years and offering this prize is my way of putting something back into the sport. "The Australian Formula Ford Championship is where most of the top young racers are coming from, so I’m proud to be involved in the ‘Generation XR Program’," the Queensland Ford ace says. "And it works both ways too … a
young driver gets the chance to compete in Australia’s greatest race in
one of my cars, and Longhurst Racing gets the best up-and-coming young
racer for its Primus 1000 line-up."
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