KELLYS UP TO BIG SWITCH, SAYS FORD

Kelly’s up to big switch says Ford

“A GOOD solid start” and then build on it.

By BRUCE NEWTON

That’s what global head of Ford motorsport Mark Rushbrook expects Kelly Racing to deliver when it becomes a Mustang team in 2020.

Rushbrook, at last weekend’s Gold Coast 600 as part of big Ford contingent that also included Ford family luminary Edsel Ford II, spent a significant amount of time getting to know the team and understanding the challenges it faces.

The Kelly’s move from Nissan to Ford was only signed and announced the Tuesday after the Bathurst 1000.

The accompanying computer-generated rendering is KR’s initial look at how Rick Kelly’s Mustang will look.

With two cars to build and – more challengingly – an entire Ford V8 engine program to get up and running, the Kellys have a lot to do in just a few months as they also wind down the Nissan program.

Ford Performance global motorsport chief Rushbrook backs them to get the job done.

“We know they have got a lot of work ahead of them,” Rushbrook told AA. “I spent a lot of time over there with them (on Saturday morning at Surfers) and there is a lot of work they need to do between now and the start of the season next year.

“And with all of that there are challenges; to get the body build right and to get the engine at the right power levels.

“So we just want to see them get off to a good solid start for next year and then continue to build that program.”

Kelly Racing had originally planned to lease engines for its Mustang program, but it could not find a decent solution from either current Supercars supplier.

Mostech Race Engines has an exclusive deal with DJR Team Penske, while Tickford Racing would have had to gear up to build and maintain more engines and pass that cost onto Kelly Racing.

As a result, Kelly Racing has opted to develop its own version of the Ford pushrod V8. To shorten timelines, it has secured a single 2012 example from Jim Stone, former co-owner of defunct Stone Brothers Racing, to act as a summer test bench mule.

The upshot is the team must have five complete V8 engines ready for mid-February to take to Adelaide for the February 20-23 season-opener.

The next challenge after building them will be establishing how competitive they are.

Ford Performance in the USA will liaise closely with Kelly Racing to shorten their performance timeline.

“We have been talking about what it takes to do the bodies and the engines,” Rushbrook confirmed. “That’s been going on for three or four weeks and good engagement with them and happy to help.”

Cylinder head development is a key area in which Ford Performance could be of assistance to Kelly Racing.

“We can help with (engine) parts,” Rushbrook said. “That’s one of the key areas and also connections with people in the industry who can help them with those parts and get them started in the right place.”

Rushbrook welcomed next year’s increase of Fords on the grid from six to eight, but confirmed growth had not been an active consideration until the Kellys made their approach to Ford Australia about two months ago.

“We do like more Mustangs coming onto the grid,” he said. “It’s a good thing, we are a family company, and when we go racing in a series like this, we like to have multiple teams that can work together.

“They have to be the right teams and be able to work and help each other in the right way. And the way the Kellys go about it we think is the right way.

“So we are excited to have them partner with us.”

For more of the latest Supercars news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.