Navy helps launch FGX Falcon
Prodrive Racing (Australia) has launched the final ever Ford Falcon V8 Supercar with help from the Royal Australian Navy and its flagship HMAS Canberra.
Defending Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 champion Chaz Mostert and 2013 race winner Mark Winterbottom unveiled their new Pepsi Max-backed FG X Falcons aboard HMAS Canberra.
The pair revealed the newest and last ever Falcon V8 Supercar which emerged from below the deck of the ship in front of a crowd of VIP guests and media.
The new FG X has undergone extensive development work in the off-season and the team believes it will bring performance improvements in a range of key areas.
"The FG X not only looks fantastic but from the brief testing we've done there are clear gains over the previous model which is very encouraging for us all," 10-year team veteran Winterbottom said.
"The team spent months developing the new aerodynamic package and while development doesn't stop, we should start the season with a significant leg up over previous years.
"I've spent a decade with this team and while we've enjoyed a lot of success over a very long period, we all still want the ultimate prize of the title and I believe we have the equipment to do the job this year."
Mostert has emerged as a threat to the established stars of the sport and after his first full year in Australia's top motorsport category he is seeking consistency and more on-track success.
"My first year driving with the Pepsi Max Crew was awesome and with a full year under my belt now I am keen to get out there and give it everything I've got," Mostert said, who also starts the year with a brand new chassis for the first time in his career.
"Last year was a dream come true in many ways but to win Bathurst and recover the way we did after a tough start was just the icing on the cake.
"The test will be really important for us this year because we're starting the year with a brand new chassis in a brand new car so any practice I can get is good. The aim for the year really is just to be more consistent, add wins to the tally and get to the top of the championship standings."
Prodrive Racing team principal Tim Edwards echoed the sentiments of his drivers and believes the introduction of the FG X is the shot in the arm the team needed.
"In the past few years we have been heading in the right direction so it's important that we make the most of what we have and get as much out of the FG X as we can," Edwards said.
"With the Super Black Racing team joining us and some fresh faces around HQ we are entering the season with a new perspective on things sometimes so with the introduction of the new car and some of our more experienced staff moving into leading roles we believe we have the right combination of people to get the job done.
"While the ability to be consistent across an entire 11-month season is no easy task we've improved in that area each year and with the performance gains we feel the FG X should bring, this year is as good as any for us to take that elusive title," he said.
"Everyone is very determined to have a successful 2015 and we are very much in it to win it."
The team's full four-car line-up was unveiled at Sydney's Fleet Base East with David Reynolds' #55 The Bottle-O Ford unveiled alongside new outfit Super Black Racing. The all-Kiwi entry will be led by rookie Andre Heimgartner who will steer the #111 Ford.
Reynolds and Heimgartner will start the season in the previous generation FG Falcon before moving to the new FG X after the opening events of the season.
Team owner Rod Nash has called for consistency across the whole team to ensure it realises its main goal for season 2015.
"This year is all about going from good to great as a business and a team. We have had a number of victories in the last two years but we have our sights firmly set on success, including a maiden championship win," Nash said.
"We have made quite a few changes and additions in a range of departments throughout the business and we are continuing to develop as a team. We believe we have the right people with the right attitudes which will help us to succeed.
"Consistency throughout the year will be key so if we can stay consistent then I think we will once again be up towards the top of the table, and hopefully right on top."
All four Prodrive Racing-prepared Fords will make their 2015 track debut at this weekend's Sydney Motorsport Park SuperTest which runs on Saturday and Sunday.
