Pepsi Max joins Ford factory squad

Ford Performance Racing will sport naming rights backing from soft drink brand Pepsi Max on its factory Ford Falcons for the next three years, the team has confirmed.

The deal will see the team’s two V8 Supercars Championship entries of Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison become officially known as the Pepsi Max Crew FPR Fords.

The deal marks the first time that FPR’s two cars will share the same naming rights backer in the team’s 10 year history.

The news follows the exit of from the sport of Davison’s previous sponsor Tradingpost and the downsizing of support from previous backer of Winterbottom’s car, Orrcon Steel.

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Pepsi had been the principal sponsor on Greg Murphy’s #51 Commodore at Kelly Racing for the past two seasons.

Unlike the level of signage space offered on Murphy’s car, the new deal is expected to see Pepsi Max adorn only the flanks of the Falcons, due to the team’s collection of current corporate partners.

PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand Marketing Director, Kim McConnie says that linking with Ford’s factory team takes the company’s V8 Supercars involvement to a new level.

“Joining the V8 Supercars has been a huge success for Pepsi Max and we’re thrilled to now be teaming up with Ford Performance Racing for the next three years,” McConnie said.

“We’ve always talked about our commitment to motorsport in Australia and this new deal is further justification of that. We are looking forward to a very strong year in 2013 and beyond.”

FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards says he’s pleased that the team has been able to secure the support of such an iconic international brand.

“It is with great pleasure we announce a three-year partnership with PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand which will see Ford’s two primary factory cars race under the Pepsi Max banner,” Edwards said.

“The Pepsi Max brand is instantly recognisable the world over and the whole team is looking forward to working with a brand that brings innovation and excitement to everything it does.

“It will be the first time in the team’s history we’ve had the same title sponsor on both cars and the partnership provides us with a chance for a fresh approach and a new look at a time when we are also introducing a whole new car. This is the start of an exciting new era for everyone involved.”

The team will reveal its new look at its season launch on Thursday, February 7 in Melbourne.