Ford shuns Stock and Super Stock support

Ralph A Powell · 01-11-2020, 09:53 PM

The dropped Force to pay for the GT LeMans program!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bykr

I remember when Ford dropped Force there was some talk of a more "grassroots" program. Then they jump on another Funny Car

pmrphil · 01-12-2020, 10:32 AM

I would be inclined to believe that being involved with the Force program certainly has to be much more costly (to Ford) than Wilkerson's car, or even Tasca, for that matter.

Tom P · 01-13-2020, 03:19 PM

Didn't they also cut the drag support in 67 to pay for LeMans that year and the previous? Seems to me there were not as many factory cars in 67 as there were in 66. But there were still some.

Jesse Kershaw · 01-16-2020, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrphil

I would be inclined to believe that being involved with the Force program certainly has to be much more costly (to Ford) than Wilkerson's car, or even Tasca, for that matter.

I have no idea what they give/pay Tim now but during my time there his package was minimal. He was IMO the best ROI we got in all our racing programs. He was always willing to help, always wore the Ford hat, and was good for a couple wins per season. That's not to say Force wasn't great also, just that Tim gave us a phenomenal value.

If Tim is getting a bigger payday now I'm sure he earns it. He's a genuinely good dude.

that said there is definitely a feeling of "abandonment" among Ford racers and enthusiasts I hear it from drag racers, road racers, drifters, and parts distributors. There's a reason I still get calls nearly 3 years after I've gone.

Superfan1 · 01-16-2020, 06:19 PM

Most, if not all, Ford fans miss you Jesse; I know I sure do!

troublemaker427 · 01-17-2020, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superfan1

Most, if not all, Ford fans miss you Jesse; I know I sure do!

I do too, for sure. It hasn't been the same since you left....

Tom P · 01-17-2020, 03:36 PM

I wish Jesse was still there at Ford. I enjoyed talking to you at SEMA. I agree Tim Wilkerson seems like a good guy.
I'm not sure the extent of the involvement in Sportsmen drag racing. Is there anything like the "dollar cars" in the 60's?

Jim Caughlin · 01-17-2020, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom P

I wish Jesse was still there at Ford. I enjoyed talking to you at SEMA. I agree Tim Wilkerson seems like a good guy.
I'm not sure the extent of the involvement in Sportsmen drag racing. Is there anything like the "dollar cars" in the 60's?

Sure there are, Ford pretty much gave away the limited run GT40's to celebrities (not racers) who then sold them off at a profit.

Ralph A Powell · 01-16-2020, 06:35 PM

You forgot to mention the Ford Family connection to Tasca!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse Kershaw

I have no idea what they give/pay Tim now but during my time there his package was minimal. He was IMO the best ROI we got in all our racing programs. He was always willing to help, always wore the Ford hat, and was good for a couple wins per season. That's not to say Force wasn't great also, just that Tim gave us a phenomenal value.

If Tim is getting a bigger payday now I'm sure he earns it. He's a genuinely good dude.

that said there is definitely a feeling of "abandonment" among Ford racers and enthusiasts I hear it from drag racers, road racers, drifters, and parts distributors. There's a reason I still get calls nearly 3 years after I've gone.

jwsamuel · 01-16-2020, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse Kershaw

that said there is definitely a feeling of "abandonment" among Ford racers and enthusiasts I hear it from drag racers, road racers, drifters, and parts distributors. There's a reason I still get calls nearly 3 years after I've gone.

They are only going to be selling one car in the near future so it makes sense for them to divert dollars toward the truck market.

01-12-2020, 10:32 AM	#2
pmrphil Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: CT Posts: 456 Likes: 1,796 Liked 346 Times in 150 Posts	Re: Ford shuns Stock and Super Stock support I would be inclined to believe that being involved with the Force program certainly has to be much more costly (to Ford) than Wilkerson's car, or even Tasca, for that matter. __________________ Phil Molski PMR Performance S/C 1623

01-13-2020, 03:19 PM	#3
Tom P Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 707 Likes: 30 Liked 239 Times in 94 Posts	Re: Ford shuns Stock and Super Stock support Didn't they also cut the drag support in 67 to pay for LeMans that year and the previous? Seems to me there were not as many factory cars in 67 as there were in 66. But there were still some.

01-16-2020, 06:19 PM	#5
Superfan1 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bridgeport,CT. Posts: 1,991 Likes: 1,664 Liked 2,632 Times in 438 Posts	Re: Ford shuns Stock and Super Stock support Most, if not all, Ford fans miss you Jesse; I know I sure do! __________________ Bill Seabrooks - superfan1 Bridgeport, CT

01-17-2020, 03:36 PM	#7
Tom P Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 707 Likes: 30 Liked 239 Times in 94 Posts	Re: Ford shuns Stock and Super Stock support I wish Jesse was still there at Ford. I enjoyed talking to you at SEMA. I agree Tim Wilkerson seems like a good guy. I'm not sure the extent of the involvement in Sportsmen drag racing. Is there anything like the "dollar cars" in the 60's?