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POWERFUL Team Vodafone boss Roland Dane is considering a shock move to Holden after Ford announced they would no longer fund the Bathurst-winning team.
In a move that would rock Australian motor sport, Dane could not rule out putting V8 Supercars star Craig Lowndes in a Commodore after Ford's controversial cost-cutting bombshell.
Ford will centralise its cash commitment to two V8 Supercars teams, Ford Performance Racing and Stone Brothers Racing.
After being dumped by Ford management, Dane assured the future of Team Vodadone - but he couldn't guarantee Lowndes would be driving a Falcon next year.
"Our contact with Ford runs to the end of the year," Dane said.
"We would never say we would never run Holdens. We might. It would, however, be better for the category if there is an even spread of manufacturers."
The prospect of Lowndes driving a Holden will leave Blue Oval fans gutted. One of the most recognisable faces in Australian motor sport, Lowndes is contracted to both Ford and Team Triple Eight until the end of 2009.
Lowndes said he could not rule out a move to Holden, where he started.
"I have no animosity towards Ford," Lowndes said.
"And I have no plans (to switch to Holden) in the immediate future. I have a contract with Ford, but who knows down the track?"
Lowndes, who launched his new-look Triple Eight car for the Darwin round of the V8 Supercars on Thursday, was shocked by Ford's decision to dump Team Vodafone, Dick Johnson Racing and former Bathurst winner Jason Bright's Britek Motorsport.
"It is a bit of a shock for the team," Lowndes said.
"We all want to continue the relationship and win races. Personally, I have a contract with both Ford and Triple Eight for both this year and next year.
"I can't see anything changing for me, but certainly for the structure of the team.
"If we do lose a sponsor, I am sure Roland will have a plan to replace them.
"I just have to concentrate on winning races. It will be a big change to say goodbye, but I am sure Roland has a back-up plan to the expenses."
Dane blasted Ford after a journalist informed him of the car manufacturing giant's decision to axe the team.
"It has been coming for a couple of weeks, but I was still surprised," Dane said.
"A journalist actually told me before them (Ford). I am upset at the way they handled it. I am very surprised because we have won far more than any other Ford team in the last three years. It is their decision to make -- we have had sponsors in the past and they come and go. It is up to us to replace them."
The new Team Triple Eight cars have been designed to raise the awareness of charity group Red Dust, which works to improve the health and well being of disadvantaged indigenous youth in remote Australia.
POWERFUL Team Vodafone boss Roland Dane is considering a shock move to Holden after Ford announced they would no longer fund the Bathurst-winning team.
In a move that would rock Australian motor sport, Dane could not rule out putting V8 Supercars star Craig Lowndes in a Commodore after Ford's controversial cost-cutting bombshell.
Ford will centralise its cash commitment to two V8 Supercars teams, Ford Performance Racing and Stone Brothers Racing.
After being dumped by Ford management, Dane assured the future of Team Vodadone - but he couldn't guarantee Lowndes would be driving a Falcon next year.
"Our contact with Ford runs to the end of the year," Dane said.
"We would never say we would never run Holdens. We might. It would, however, be better for the category if there is an even spread of manufacturers."
The prospect of Lowndes driving a Holden will leave Blue Oval fans gutted. One of the most recognisable faces in Australian motor sport, Lowndes is contracted to both Ford and Team Triple Eight until the end of 2009.
Lowndes said he could not rule out a move to Holden, where he started.
"I have no animosity towards Ford," Lowndes said.
"And I have no plans (to switch to Holden) in the immediate future. I have a contract with Ford, but who knows down the track?"
Lowndes, who launched his new-look Triple Eight car for the Darwin round of the V8 Supercars on Thursday, was shocked by Ford's decision to dump Team Vodafone, Dick Johnson Racing and former Bathurst winner Jason Bright's Britek Motorsport.
"It is a bit of a shock for the team," Lowndes said.
"We all want to continue the relationship and win races. Personally, I have a contract with both Ford and Triple Eight for both this year and next year.
"I can't see anything changing for me, but certainly for the structure of the team.
"If we do lose a sponsor, I am sure Roland will have a plan to replace them.
"I just have to concentrate on winning races. It will be a big change to say goodbye, but I am sure Roland has a back-up plan to the expenses."
Dane blasted Ford after a journalist informed him of the car manufacturing giant's decision to axe the team.
"It has been coming for a couple of weeks, but I was still surprised," Dane said.
"A journalist actually told me before them (Ford). I am upset at the way they handled it. I am very surprised because we have won far more than any other Ford team in the last three years. It is their decision to make -- we have had sponsors in the past and they come and go. It is up to us to replace them."
The new Team Triple Eight cars have been designed to raise the awareness of charity group Red Dust, which works to improve the health and well being of disadvantaged indigenous youth in remote Australia.