By Matthew Agius

The Pirtek Ford Rally Team will relocate to the Dandenong South headquarters of Jason Bright's Britek Motorsport team in 2007 as Ford Racing Australia ups the ante in an effort to claim next year's NEC Australian Rally Championship.

Britek Motorsport currently runs two Ford BA Falcons in the V8 Supercar Championship Series, but is predicted to next year downsize to one car for team owner Jason Bright as he switches over from Ford Performance Racing.

Ford currently operates the Pirtek Rally Team as a factory operation, and will continue to support the program through the new deal, however the re-location to Britek's facilities is a structured move to assist the team's transition from running a single rear-wheel drive Ford Focus to two new cars under Super 2000 regulations.

“The move to Britek Motorsport is part of a strategy to challenge in the highly-competitive Australian rally scene,” said Ray Price, manager of Ford Racing Australia's operations.

“Britek has established race engineering as well as the facilities to offer the best outcome for the Pirtek Rally Team. Ford will continue to support this program, offering the required assistance when necessary.”

Chris Jewell, Britek Motorsport's General Manager, is looking forward to taking control of the Pirtek Rally Team for 2007.

"People think of us being a V8 Supercar outfit, but we have always said that our business is about running professional racing programs for different categories,” said Jewell.

The team does indeed have experience in other categories, namely GT racing with former driver Bryce Washington running a Porsche out of the team's headquarters.

"Our already extensive race facility is currently going through an upgrade including paint and panel facilities, and CNC metal lathe machines amongst other things.

"We also have established administration and management. This gives us greater economies across both the rally and V8 programs.