FPV Appoints Allan Moffat as Ambassador

mcnews · 01-02-2010, 10:19 AM

FPV Appoints Allan Moffat as Ambassador

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) today announced the appointment of racing legend Allan Moffat as its official Ambassador.

Moffat will represent FPV at major events and in some exciting new programs throughout 2010, as Ford's performance arm steps up its activities in the new decade.

The four-time Bathurst winner has a long history with the Ford brand, which started in the late '60s as a factory team driver and culminated with the famous 1-2 Falcon hardtop team victory with Colin Bond at Mt Panorama in 1977.

"I am delighted to welcome Allan Moffat to our team," FPV General Manager Rod Barrett says.

"Allan brings with him an unrivalled Ford heritage and enormous credibility with the history of performance Fords in Australia, and that has an obvious connect with our brand and our customers."

"But more than that, Allan has a real feel for 'performance cars' and what performance enthusiasts value, and that adds further to his role as FPV's roving Ambassador."

Allan Moffat's record has made him a motor racing icon in Australia.

Along with four Bathurst victories, he won the Sandown endurance race six times, was Australian Touring Car Champion four times, and won both the Australian Sports Sedan and Sports Car Championship titles.

Overseas Moffat won the Sebring 12 Hours in Florida, was Sports Car Club of America Central Division Champion, and was victorious in 500 kilometre races at Fuji (Japan), Monza (Italy) and Wellington (New Zealand).

He also took class honours in each of the international 24 hour races at Le Mans (France), Daytona (America) and Spa (Belgium).

Allan's son James also has a strong Ford connection, racing a Falcon in the 2010 V8 Supercar Development Series.

"Ford is such a big part of my history, it is fantastic to be joining FPV in 2010," Allan Moffat says.

"FPV's products are fabulous … our racing cars didn't perform or handle as well as these cars do … so I am proud to represent FPV in Australia, and look forward to working with Rod and his team."

**SSD-85** · 01-02-2010, 10:25 AM

Wow, this is indeed a suprise. Could it be hinting at a HO program?

4VCLEVO · 01-02-2010, 10:27 AM

Thats great news, couldn't think of a better ambassador for FPV.

**Polyal** · 01-02-2010, 11:10 AM

So Moffatt Jnr with FPR and Snr with FPV; cool.

sgxr8 · 01-02-2010, 11:13 AM

It's a family affair now with James at FPR. Anyone who has spoken personally to Allan will know that his blood runs blue despite dalliances in other brands. He is the man who got me interested in high performance Fords in the late 60s and i can think of no better person to do the job.Well done Moff.
Cheers
GT450

Outback · 01-02-2010, 11:47 AM

what did moffet really do?

vztrt · 01-02-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outback

what did moffet really do?

More then a lot of drivers did in this country.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Moffat

Iggypoppin' · 01-02-2010, 12:02 PM

If you have to ask...you don't know ford!!

**ebxr8240** · 01-02-2010, 12:06 PM

Just what they need .. A P.B type representing them ...
All we need is a Bond out there racing ??
A 1-2 win would be nice...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

If you have to ask...you don't know ford!!

Sheesh !! Are you embarrassed now ?? Lol..

**Luke Plaizier** · 01-02-2010, 01:17 PM

Hmm. Product Ambassador eh?

I wonder if Ford would ever consider taking on sponsorship of Eric Banner as a product Ambassador? Although I guess Eric might not like being kept out of Porsche's or Mitsubishi's. But then Eric could be that 2nd 'Bondie' driver referred to earlier if a good enough HO is ever built and Ford or FPV become competitive in the thing at a Bathurst 12 hr....

The halcyon days could return if that panned out OK. I mean, the Coyote is also undergoing race-engineering development program right now isn't it? Seems like an interesting match to me.

Lukeyson

**GasoLane** · 01-02-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outback

what did moffet really do?

Someones been living on another planet.

Asking What Moffat did is like asking "What did Jim Clark do for Lotus!"

WASP · 01-02-2010, 01:37 PM

Nice move Rod. Just the person to launch this new 'GT'

_2:

**russellw** · 01-02-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outback

what did moffet really do?

Let's try 4 Bathurst wins (1970/71/73/77)

4 Australian Touring Car championships (1973/76/77 and 1983)

1 South Pacific Touring Car championship (1970)

1 Australian Sports Sedan Championship (1976)

1 Australian Sports Car Championship (1980)

2 Australian Endurance championships (1980 & 82)

Cheers
Russ

GTP-RPD · 01-02-2010, 01:48 PM

This country has produced world class drivers who still to this day are not recognised for thier achievements in this country....

I say well done Allan, maybe he can throw a prototype together like the old Phase 1 and take Barrett "for a flame thrower ride up the Hume"

DJL351 · 01-02-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

Let's try 4 Bathurst wins (1970/71/73/77)

4 Australian Touring Car championships (1973/76/77 and 1983)

1 South Pacific Touring Car championship (1970)

1 Australian Sports Sedan Championship (1976)

1 Australian Sports Car Championship (1980)

2 Australian Endurance championships (1980 & 82)

Cheers
Russ

Awesome list - it really is; however, who under the age of 30 really knows him?

Surely there would be 'newer' names out there they could have used?
Seto?
Bowe?
Or even DJ?

Given the 'link' between FPV & FPR; wouldn't someone who raced in the 'modern' V8 Supercar era be better suited?

4Vman · 01-02-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

Let's try 4 Bathurst wins (1970/71/73/77)

4 Australian Touring Car championships (1973/76/77 and 1983)

1 South Pacific Touring Car championship (1970)

1 Australian Sports Sedan Championship (1976)

1 Australian Sports Car Championship (1980)

2 Australian Endurance championships (1980 & 82)

Cheers
Russ

Not to mention extensive consultation and input on the original GTHO program....

A great step in my opinion, i bet Everyone, regardless of age knows who Dale Earnhardt or Carrol Shelby is in the states...

trippytaka · 01-02-2010, 02:03 PM

Very good move... although a long time coming.

**FTE217** · 01-02-2010, 02:05 PM

and the best win % ratio to date !

T3ts50 · 01-02-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJL351

Awesome list - it really is; however, who under the age of 30 really knows him?

Surely there would be 'newer' names out there they could have used?
Seto?
Bowe?
Or even DJ?

Given the 'link' between FPV & FPR; wouldn't someone who raced in the 'modern' V8 Supercar era be better suited?

Me for one.

I dont think DJ would be an ambassodor considering he owns DJR.

4Vman · 01-02-2010, 02:19 PM

Think it though guys.... Moffat WAS a Factory driver... and WAS involved with their road car program, his son is an up and coming driver who probably can't bring much $$ to the table but has a "priceless" surname and pedigree, the synergies are obvious...

**buggerlugs** · 01-02-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outback

what did moffet really do?

You obviously forgot to take your meds today.................

MO · 01-02-2010, 02:46 PM

Not to forget Allans fight with CAMS to bring greater safety into the sport back in the 1970s.

4VCLEVO · 01-02-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJL351

Awesome list - it really is; however, who under the age of 30 really knows him?

Surely there would be 'newer' names out there they could have used?
Seto?
Bowe?
Or even DJ?

Given the 'link' between FPV & FPR; wouldn't someone who raced in the 'modern' V8 Supercar era be better suited?

I am 28 and know of his acheivments. I thought Allan Moffat was a house hold name with most people. They may not know exactly who he is but mostlikely know he was a race car driver from the old days.
Or they will know him as that bloke who is on the GT Radials add on TV.

4Vman · 01-02-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4VCLEVO

I am 28 and know of his acheivments. I thought Allan Moffat was a house hold name with most people. They may not know exactly who he is but mostlikely know he was a race car driver from the old days.

In terms of "Ford Legend" status id rank Moffat well above Seto or Bowe, and comfortably above Johnson who id rate as our second greatest racing "Legend".....

**Polyal** · 01-02-2010, 03:26 PM

Well Seto never quite got there, JB did a few times and DJ much the same but seemed to have more of the publics following.

JB has been (still is?) working with Ford/FTE for a while (now does a bit with Roaring Forties), Moffat must be there for the name; im assuming the role is purely PR though. As good as Allan is I cant see him having much input into models now.

4Vman · 01-02-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Well Seto never quite got there, JB did a few times and DJ much the same but seemed to have more of the publics following.

JB has been (still is?) working with Ford/FTE for a while (now does a bit with Roaring Forties), Moffat must be there for the name; im assuming the role is purely PR though. As good as Allan is I cant see him having much input into models now.

"Ambassador" is the key word!!!

**Polyal** · 01-02-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

"Ambassador" is the key word!!!

I did read that, so who is he trying to reach? The die hards that already buy Fords?

4Vman · 01-02-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I did read that, so who is he trying to reach? The die hards that already buy Fords?

Probably the die hards who don't currently buy FPV's...

cheek · 01-02-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4VCLEVO

I am 28 and know of his acheivments. I thought Allan Moffat was a house hold name with most people. They may not know exactly who he is but mostlikely know he was a race car driver from the old days.
Or they will know him as that bloke who is on the GT Radials add on TV.

Same here mate and Im 16!

banarcus · 01-02-2010, 03:35 PM

Ford must be getting the punters ready for something big. A rejuvenation of the Ford V8 I suspect and some proper education of the younger generation about when Ford ruled the track!