Jan
24
Ford Drops Sponsorship of Champ Car Series
January 24, 2007 | Posted by VroomDude
Ford has pulled the plug on its sponsorship of Champ Car, which it had backed since 1992.
“We evaluate all of our racing programs on an annual basis and have decided that this sponsorship does not align with our current business objectives,” Ford Racing technology director Dan Davis said.
“Although we are leaving open wheel racing at this time, were proud of our long relationship with Champ Car, its teams and drivers, and we wish them well as they try to grow the sport.”
While not surprising, given the overall mess that Ford as a company is in these days, its a blow for the struggling Champ Car series, which is now on the hunt for a manufacturing sponsor to replace Ford.
You have to wonder how long Champ Car and IRL will struggle along independently until people really get serious in talks about merging the two open-wheel series, which would hopefully cement open-wheel racing’s place in North America for the foreseeable future.