Australian Formula Ford Management and Ford Australia are pleased to announce Genuine Ford Parts as official naming rights sponsor of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship for the next three years.

"We are extremely pleased to have entered into a partnership with the Australian Formula Ford Championship as the major sponsor for the next three years," said Bruce McDonald, Vice President, Ford Customer Service Division.

"We believe the Australian Formula Ford Championship provides Ford with a great platform to promote the benefits of Genuine Ford Parts to a broad audience.

"The link with the Formula Ford Series also reinforces Ford's long motorsport heritage and demonstrates the durability and reliability of Genuine Ford Parts in race conditions.

"Formula Ford plays a major role in the development of up and coming Australian motor racing drivers, and with more than half of the current V8 Supercar field and the likes of Formula 1 driver Mark Webber having competed in the category, it's not hard to see how successful it has been."

In a three year deal that further establishes the stability of the category, the announcement of Genuine Ford Parts as a naming rights sponsor adds to a growing list of positives for Formula Ford and ensures its continued growth.

"To secure a naming rights sponsor in Genuine Ford Parts is fantastic for Formula Ford and its teams and competitors alike," said Category Manager Margaret Hardy.

"A new sponsor coupled with the extremely successful introduction of the Ford Fiesta 1600cc Duratec engines in 2006 and the addition of a Network Seven television deal has seen us go from strength to strength as the premier breeding ground of Australia's future motorsport talent."

2007 saw Formula Ford return to television screens nationwide as part of the V8 Supercar telecast, a deal which will continue to showcase the category and Genuine Ford Parts to a nationwide audience in 2008.

As part of the naming rights sponsorship arrangement, the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship logo will also appear on all Formula Ford vehicles, driver race suits, trackside signage, information boards and flags.

The 2008 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship will kick off 7-9 March when drivers take to Eastern Creek Raceway for round one of an eight round Championship.

2008 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship Schedule:

Round 1            March 7-9          Eastern Creek               NSW

Round 2            April 4-6            Wakefield Park              NSW

Round 3            June 7-9           Sandown                      VIC

Round 4            July 4-6             Hidden Valley               NT

Round 5            July 18-20         QLD Raceway               QLD

Round 6            Sept 12-14        Phillip Island                 VIC

Round 7            October 23-26   Indy 300                        QLD

Round 8            Dec 5-7             Oran Park                     NSW