Exclusive: FPR close to signing new deal with Ford

Rod Nash has had enough. Since buying a majority stake in Ford Performance Racing (FPR), the factory backed Ford powerhouse, the former driver has gritted his teeth and held his tongue as people claimed a "civil war" raged  and "turmoil" threatened to rip apart his team. FPR’s on track performances have also been described as disastrous.

Nash finally hit-back yesterday with the usually reticent team owner setting the record straight. In an exclusive interview as Bathurst nears, Nash opened up about in fighting at his team, the future of off-contract star Will Davison and his team’s performances. He also revealed the truth behind the team’s negotiations with the major sponsor Ford, whose future with the team remains uncertain after this year.

Nash candidly admitted his driver’s had blues, but laughed off claims a "civil war" had been sparked by a team pit-stop decision that saw Davison plummet out of contention in Sandown. "Our driver’s have disagreements," he said. "I am not going to lie. I mean we saw vision on TV of Mark Winterbottom and Alex Davison having words earlier this year. But you know what? All drivers blue and I would be worried if they didn’t.

"They do it because they are so competitive and want to win. They get fired up in the heat of the moment because they are hungry. But that is where it stays. All of our drivers get on well. They leave it all at the track. I can say that hand on heart. There is zero disharmony.

"There have been total fabrications out there and nonsensical claims that are just plain wrong. Some of the stuff that has been reported has been hysterical. I have never, honestly, seen a team with such good morale. From the shop floor up."

Nash slammed suggestions the team favoured established driver Winterbottom over Davison, and revealed the later was about to sign a new deal. "The team does not favour Mark. We have a clear policy of equal opportunity. Any other suggestion is 100 per cent wrong. We are very close to closing the deal with Will. On both sides, no one has any other alternative than to cut a deal and move on. It is not complete but it will be."

Nash also confirmed he was close to securing a new contract with Ford, a major coup that will see the famous brand remain with the sport. "The negotiations are absolutely positive," Nash said. "FPR and the Geelong Football club are their big properties and we are important to them. I can confirm we have had discussion about a one-year deal, and also talk of a longer term deal. We are also looking at a three year contract. We are not too far away."

Carsguide understands the deal has been signed off in Australia and is awaiting approval from HQ in the US. Nash accused the media of trying to kill off the deal. "All the negativity has been unhelpful," Nash said. "We have sat back and copped it, but not anymore. We can’t work out why we have been a punching bag. We are knocked down all the time even though we are in championship contention.

"People have just written stupid things. I mean how two boys moved up into second and third prior to Sandown. It is hardly a fall apart season. It is been a bashing. I’m quite sick of some media outlets writing up not just us, but the sport as negative. These are tough times and it is doing us now good. Ford’s name has been canned by false information. Ford have to make a huge decision and people have been ripping into them. It is time it stops."