HERROD TAKES OVER FORD GEN3 ENGINE PROGRAM

Ford teams in Supercars will have a new engine supplier for the Gen3 era.

Long-time Ford guru Rob Herrod is taking over the V8 program in a ‘same-same, but different’ move that will change the details but not the direction of the Gen3 program with Ford’s production-based 5.4-litre Coyote engine.

Gen3 development and homologation was begun by Mostech Race Engines, the long-time supplier to Dick Johnson Racing, as part of the team’s role as the official homologation team for Ford in Supercars.

But the poor health of company boss Steve Amos has forced him to step back and Herrod is taking up the slack by creating a new company, Herrod Performance Engines.

He already has plans to accelerate supplies of essential parts from the USA and oversee the on-track engine work as the Ford Mustang is readied by Supercars for the start of Gen3 competition.

HPE will also be the engine supplier to Shell V-Power Racing and the Blanchard Racing Team this year.

“This is an exciting development for me and a proud moment in my business and family history,” Herrod tells Auto Action.

“There is not much that I don’t know about the Coyote family of Ford engines and I’m looking forward to this involvement in the Gen3 era in Supercars racing.”

Key Mostech personnel will continue with HPE, including Bobby Irvine, and Amos will also be a silent partner.

“This is an exciting moment because it builds from Rob Herrod’s impressive Ford history and connections. The Gen3 Mustang combo is as close as it gets to the car in showrooms,” says Ryan Story, chairman of Dick Johnson Racing.

“Rob is an out-and-out Ford blue-blood. This move only adds to the integrity of our program and the skill set of our organisation.

“It’s unfortunate that Steve’s health problem has been the instigator for this announcement. We wish him the best and we’re fortunate to still have him involved.”

The change has the support of Ford Australia as well as Mark Rushbrook, the global director of Ford Motorsports.

Herrod says his first priority is to accelerate the supply of Gen3 parts for the Coyote program to ensure engines are ready on schedule.

“The new engine business is an extension to Herrod Performance and I have the long-term contacts and experience to get things happening,” he says.

Herrod is a long-term business partner with DJR, including the development of limited-edition Mustang models that have carried the names of Dick Johnson and Scott McLaughlin, although he is committed to the independence of Herrod Performance Engines from the start of the 2023 campaign.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action.