New 00 Falcon

[BJAY]

MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGOED UNTIL 5:00pm
24 SEPTEMBER 2001

NEW CAR, NEW LOOK, NEW INITIATIVE FOR LOWNDES

A brand new car, brand new look and significant new commercial support heralds the arrival of Craig Lowndes` much anticipated all-new Falcon XR8 racer.

Set to debut in next weekend`s V8 Supercar 1000 endurance event at Bathurst (NSW), Lowndes` new machine is the first to be designed and built from the ground up by Gibson Motorsport.

Unveiling his new racer with Ford Australia President, Geoff Polites, the three-time Australian Champion could hardly contain his enthusiasm.

"Without question this is the most technically advanced and sophisticated V8 Supercar ever built and I am very excited about its performance potential," Craig Lowndes said.

"It`s a real work of art and the result of more thought, effort and expertise than any car I have been involved with before.

"Testing has already demonstrated that we have something special in this Falcon and I`m looking forward to the remainder of the season with great optimism."

Nine months in development and construction, the unveiling of the new Gibson Motorsport machine is the culmination of a program that began in January, when both driver and team dramatically switched V8 Supercar brands.

"Craig Lowndes is Australia`s premier racing driver and we are proud to have him as an ambassador for our brand," Ford Australia President, Geoff Polites, said.

"His arrival has really rekindled enthusiasm for Ford in racing, it has spurred our other teams on to greater success and really motivated everyone in our organisation.

"It`s been a tremendous association already and now I look forward to great success with this new car."

Lowndes` latest racer also heralds a Ford initiative to step up promotion of the Falcon brand.

When the `00` Falcon hits the track at Bathurst it will wear a dramatic new colour scheme designed by Ford`s in-house stylists, Simon Butterworth and Nick Hogios, depicting the Falcon model`s `bird` emblem in profile.

"Falcon is our core product and we wanted something absolutely distinctive and completely different to anything else on the track to draw attention to the Falcon," Geoff Polites explained.

"Craig`s original black and silver colour scheme certainly caused a stir earlier this year and we think this one will do the same."

Joining Ford`s primary support of the Gibson Motorsport team for the first official time this season will be new commercial partners GMC, Hewlett-Packard and Mobil.

"Thanks to Ford`s support we have been able to spend the time since the start of the season assembling a group of high-quality commercial partners to add value to our program," Gibson Motorsport Team Principal, Fred Gibson, said.

"Our commercial operatives have done a tremendous job putting together this select group of commercial partners, whose identity we have not been prepared to disclose until the package was complete and ready to take us into the seasons ahead.

"I am delighted to confirm that Mobil has extended its motorsport program to include our team. Hewlett-Packard has also lent its commercial and technical support for this year and beyond.

"It`s certainly a diverse group, but each of them is committed to maximising the benefits of a successful partnership with Gibson Motorsport."

Joining Lowndes when he debuts the new car in next weekend`s V8 Supercar 1000 endurance race at Bathurst (NSW) will be Neil Crompton.

Crompton has waited patiently since the start of the season while the new car was finished and will now be driving the team`s original car in the season`s remaining sprint races.

Next weekend`s V8 Supercar 1000 at Bathurst is round 11 of the 2001 Shell Championship Series for V8 Supercars.

Pictures at:

http://www.gibsonmotorsport.com.au/i...gallery=launch


BJ

[jetsetter]

I had given up expecting a new car from Gibson Motorsport but they had to do something shortly as the other one was looking pretty tired.

[Buckshot]

Yes...very nice - looks fantastic but still no sponsor ?

[marcus]

yep ...looks very nice ..but again as Buckshot said there is still no sponsor.

so GMC , HP and Mobil are joining the team..so does this mean the team will change the car again before bathurst ????

[Buckshot]

I thought the way the article was worded that these sponsors would not come on board until next year ?

[Ray Bell]

It says they are on board now for the first time, and staying on next year as well... except Mobil, who've been there for a while.

[Crash Test]

So which looks better- this one or the old paint job? I'll have to see the new one on the track, but gees....it looks very nice indeed.

[racer69]

The new one looks good.

Seems Ford are taking alot more interest in the Gibson team than the 'official' FTR team, i mean Ford are basically funding it this year, designing the colours, how long before glenn loses the Ford money.

[Ray Bell]

That would be shortly before Glenn starts winning regularly... because he's swung over to Holden when Ford cut him out!

Old Bo swung between the two, Ford and Holden in different classes at times... but Glen hasn't had a go in the better marque yet... could do him some good to get some of that Chevy power under his foot. He'd certainly outdrive a lot of the Holden camp...

[Michael H]

I like Lowndes new Falcon colour scheme. It really is a fine piece of artwork. But this is not hard to do in V8Supercar, where most of the paint jobs are third world standard. The Bud car has also joined the Lowndes car in setting a new benchmark for vehicle presentation in V8Supercar. The other teams have a lot of improvement to do.

[darren]

How cares if they have noy got a sponser the car looks ******* good let hope it goes like it looks good luck craig & neil at bathurst

[RALFANATOR]

looks **** old one did look better easy to see ford is paying the bills hope FTR doesn't suffer for this