ABOUT FORD RISING STARS RACING

A major partnership between Sydney V8 Supercar Team, Speed FX Racing and the Ford motor company is set to complete the transitional path to V8 Supercar competition for some of Australia’s brightest young motorsport talent.

Under the banner of “Ford Rising Stars Racing” and overseen by renowned mentor, Speed FX Racing Pty Ltd’s Jim Morton, the program involves running a single car in the 2008 V8 Supercar Development Championship Series.

This years drivers are Michael Patrizi and new for 2008 Rookie Brad Lowe. Michael has spent the past few years on the Eurpean OPen wheelrs circuit whilst Brad has been competing in the National Formula Ford Series and Aussie Racing Cars.

The team is excited to be running a driver development squad for a major manufacturer and look forward to creating a suitable environment for Ford Rising Stars Racing to fulfil its intended purposes.

The charter will be to act as the link between the development classes of motor sport such as Karting, Formula Ford, Aussie Race Cars and Utes into main series V8 Supercar competition. In addition it will enable Ford to develop and influence the careers of their potential V8 Supercar drivers of the future.

It is by no sheer coincidence that Jim Morton has been selected for the role of mentor to its potential superstars.

Many major achievers in V8 Supercars throughout 2006 have had their career paths guided by Morton with Rookie of the Year James Courtney, Championship third placegetter Mark Winterbottom, regular V8 Supercar heavyweight Jason Bright, plus Michael Caruso, who having come second in the Fujitsu Series last year has prgressed into the main game, among those blessed by his influence. Other V8 drivers who have raced for the team in the past include Alan Gurr, Andrew Thompson, Warren Luff, Taz Douglas and Leanne Tander.

But Morton’s leadership and guidance hasn’t been restricted to V8 Supercars with Ryan Briscoe racing competitively this year across five countries in various categories, Mathew Wall dominating local karting championships, Adam Clarke making his mark in Speedway (Australian Speedcar Champion] and victories by ex Speed FX Racing drivers in the 2005 Formula Ford Championship and the 2006 New South Wales and Victorian Formula Ford Championships.

The role with Ford Rising Stars Racing is, without doubt, a natural progression of what has become a life-long passion for Morton.

The team will operate out of their northern beaches, Sydney workshop preparing the V8’s for this year’s championship. And it is not only young drivers being given opportunities but young engineers and mechanics learning their skills.