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WATERBURY, Vt. — Ford Racing has created a $35,000 contingency program for the American-Canadian Tour.
The contingency program — tailored to support teams that have chosen to compete in 2010 with the Ford powered S347JR engine in any ACT affiliate track weekly events as well as the touring programs under the ACT sanction — is the largest contingency plan offered in the 25-year history of ACT.
“We want short-track supporters across North America to know that we are very supportive of their efforts. Short tracks have been the backbone of stock-car racing for more than 50 years, and Ford recognizes their importance. We believe the contingency program that we have offered the ACT competitors and supporters reflects our support,” said Mike Delahanty, program manager of sportsman circle track racing for the Ford Racing Technology division of Ford Racing.
The Ford spec engine program was begun as a joint venture between Ford engineering and ACT in 2008. After months of research and development to make the Ford compatible with the existing motors that were exclusive in weekly and touring late model racing throughout the Northeast, the approved product was introduced at the beginning of the 2009 season.
Longtime ACT competitor and three-time King of the Road Champion at Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., Cris Michaud, brought Ford Racing its first crate-engine victory last summer.
The Ford Racing Blue Oval Challenge program will offer several contingency programs to registered and approved competitors who compete in ACT Tour (U.S.) events, ACT Castrol Série events and two ACT special events — the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., and the Vermont Milk Bowl at Thunder Road.
Competitors on the ACT Tour and the ACT Castrol Série taking part in the Ford Racing Blue Oval Challenge will earn $500 for a victory, $250 for a second-place finish and $100 for finishing third. A victory in the New Hampshire Motor Speedway ACT Invitational or Vermont Milk Bowl would earn participating teams an extra $1,000 or $500 to the best finishing Ford.
ACT and Ford will also work together to present a season-long point fund for all Ford participants in the ACT Tour, ACT Castrol Série and all ACT affiliate weekly tracks. An end-of-season point tally will reward Ford-powered competitors finishing in the top 10 in their respective divisions.
Forty-three ACT events will be eligible for contingency during the 2010 season, and all ACT affiliate weekly programs will be eligible with the possibility of more added at a later date.
“This program, designed by Ford, validates the vision we have been working on over the past decade at ACT,” said Tom Curley, president of the ACT Tour. “We have tried to bring one region of the country under a ‘universal’ set of rules that was cost efficient for race teams, promoters, and fans. The idea was to have a strong, cost effective race car for weekly racing that was still exciting to watch and also capable of running touring events in the region. Recent events like the TD Bank 250 at Oxford and the ACT Invitational at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway have certainly showcased how successful the format for these times has been. The Ford vs. Chevrolet rivalry is now officially re-established.”