XR8 takes Safety Car honours

Ford has won the rights to lead the pack for every V8 Supercar race this year. Ford fans across the country will be rejoicing at the news, as the retired 5.7-litre V8 Holden Commodore Safety Car gets to watch from the sidelines.

The brand-spanking 2001 Ford Falcon XR8 will be given the title of Official Safety Car and Course Car at all events in the Shell Championship Series.

Two cars will travel the circuit with the V8 Supercars and will also be exhibited at car shows, used for driver autograph sessions and will even be seen at the F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Howard Marsden, GM of Ford Racing, said: “Ford is delighted to have the exclusive manufacturer involvement with the AVESCO Safety and Course Car Program for 2001, and we expect it will generate a lot of interest both on and off the track.”

The cars will make their debut appearance on March 25 at Phillip Island for the first national V8 Supercar race.

The new XR8 safety cars will feature a host of tasty upgrades, including new bodywork to make the car resemble its more powerful V8 Supercar brethren. Taking advantage of a complete Tenneco Lukey exhaust system for extra power and a better tone, the new car will be sure to turn heads. Also, Monroe shocks will add much sharper handling and help give it that low-profile.

“With these modifications and special paintwork, the two Falcon XR8s will really look the part,” Mr Marsden said.

The cars will be used to control circuits before races start and will be called to action in the event of any accidents. They will also be used to report on the condition of the tracks and will help open and close the races.

It should be a great year for Australia's V8 Supercars, with a race held in New Zealand for the first time. Expect to see lots of action from the Monroe XR8s this year as they officiate the proceedings of the 13-race Shell Championship Series.