Ford Withdraws Champ Car World Series Sponsorship

Ford Withdraws As Official Champ Car Sponsor

Ford has “withdrawn as an official Champ Car World Series sponsor,” according to the AP. Ford had participated in Champ Car and its predecessor, CART, since ’92, “first providing engines and then sponsorship.” Ford Racing Technology Dir Dan Davis said, “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.” Davis added that Ford’s withdrawal from Champ Car “will not affect the other racing programs the company supports,” including NASCAR and NHRA. Champ Car President Steve Johnson said the series is “exploring a number of other options for a manufacturer partner.” Champ Car currently uses engines made by Cosworth, once a Ford subsidiary but now owned by Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsyth, two of the four series co-owners (AP, 1/25).