Ford motorsport boss responds to big GM moves

Ford Performance Motorsports global boss Mark Rushbrook has welcomed General Motors’ moves to up the ante in Supercars.

In January, Triple Eight Race Engineering announced it would leave Chevrolet for Ford from 2026, sending shockwaves through the sport.

Ever since, GM has leapt to action, securing the exclusive engine services of KRE Race Engines, and signing current Triple Eight tech guru Jeromy Moore and star driver Craig Lowndes.

GM has also expressed interest in poaching a star driver, while Roland Dane is also acting in an advisory role for GM.

GM's executive director for global motorsports competition Eric Warren was also at Albert Park, with GM currently on the hunt for a new Chevrolet homologation team.

Speaking to media in Melbourne, Rushbrook labelled GM's recent recruiting "fair game” but insisted that it was good for the fans to see rivalry on and off the track.

"We love that the sport is growing; with Toyota coming in, the last thing we want is for General Motors to exit," Rushbrook said.

"So we're glad that they're clearly committed to staying... yes, Ford wants to win races and championships but not against a weak competitor.

"We want GM/Chevy to be strong — it's good for the sport, good for the fans, to see that rivalry."

In the wake of Triple Eight’s pending Ford homologation team status for 2026, Rushbrook added that current Ford homologation team Dick Johnson Racing will handle all responsibilities for 2025.

Walkinshaw Andretti United will switch from Ford to Toyota in 2026, and is the brand's homologation team.

"Timing is TBD but the basic principle is anything related to 2025 racing, just for integrity, DJR needs to do that," Rushbrook explained.

"We can't have Triple Eight working on anything relative to 2025, it wouldn't be in their interests to make the car better for 2025 because they're racing against it.

"But then anything related to 2026, Triple Eight will do the HT responsibilities.

"So if that comes up next month or in June or whenever, then Triple Eight would take on anything related to 2026, especially around the Toyota coming in and representing us in that process."

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship will resume in New Zealand at the ITM Taupō Super 440 on April 11-13. Tickets for the event are on sale now.