Blue Oval out for Bathurst glory

After its victory in last weekend's Sandown 500, Ford Performance Racing (FPR) is confident of becoming the Blue Oval's first team since 1998 to win the Bathurst 1000

David Richards, the Brit who is the ultimate supremo of FPR, runs Subaru's world rally team, has headed two F1 teams (and will return to GP racing in 2008 with a new one), will be at Mount Panorama next month for the Great Race.

Many would say FPR's success at Sandown was long overdue, but Richards tells today's Auto Action magazine: "I always realised this project would not happen overnight, and that there are no miracles in motor racing, but I think we have now certainly proved our position in the (V8 Supercar) series as one with the credibility and expertise to be considered legitimate contenders.

"The progress we have made has been methodical and well executed, and it is an extremely positive motivating statement for the team heading into Bathurst and the remainder of the championship."

Driver Jason Bright says that, under the management of ex-F1 man Tim Edwards, FPR not only has a strong technical package but "is working like a team should".

Bright is now sixth in the V8 championship but will depart FPR at the end of the season for his own team, while his younger FPR teammate and first-time winner, Mark Winterbottom, is now third in the championship. He is hopeful of catching fellow Ford driver Craig Lowndes and Holden's Rick Kelly.

Meantime, V8 Supercar chief Tony Cochrane admits that the dream of a street race at Sydney's Olympic Park is probably dead.

After New South Wales premier Morris Iemma told V8 honchos last week his government would not agree to fund the $20 million project, Cochrane said: "It's looking highly unlikely and we're confused."

Mark Fogarty writes in Auto Action that the V8 bosses are "clearly stunned" and "floored", and feel the government got cold feet fearing a voter backlash in the lead-up to a state election next March.

Eastern Creek may now return to the V8 calendar, while Fogarty suggests Sandown could host two rounds in 2007 -- a sprint-style round early in the season and the 500 in September.

A Townsville street race remains on the radar, but for 2008.

For more results see CarPoint's motor sport calendar