This weekend's V8 Grand Finale at Phillip Island will be Russell Ingall's last hurrah with Ford, after both parties revealed that they would be going their own way in 2008.

The decision sees 2005 series champion Ingall bring the curtain down on a successful five-year partnership with the Blue Oval, having been released from his contract one year ahead of schedule in order 'to pursue other opportunities'. He is currently in the final year of his deal with Stone Brothers Racing but, with no full-time drive available with a leading Ford team in 2008, Ingall and Ford have taken the amicable decision to split.

The veteran will officially end the association on 13 December, after he has completed contractual commitments, including end-of-season 'ride days', with SBR, and an announcement on future plans - likely to be with rival manufacturer Holden - will be made in coming weeks.

"I have to thank everyone at Ford Australia for their support over the past five years," Ingall said, "In particular, I would like to thank [president] Tom Gorman for his on-going friendship and understanding.

"Opportunities have presented themselves on the 'other side' and [Ford motorsport manager] Ray Price has been good enough to allow me to explore those options. There will be more on that in the coming weeks.

"I have to thank Ross and Jimmy Stone and everyone at SBR for giving me competitive race cars during our five-year relationship, especially in 2005, and I also have to thank the Ford fans for their tremendous support over the past five years. I hope they will understand my reasons for moving on."

“Nothing stays the same in V8 racing,” SBR team manager Ross Stone admitted, “Sometimes a change and a fresh start can make all the difference. Russell and SBR have enjoyed a successful partnership and I am sure that we will remain friends in the future. I wish him well in his new endeavours but, of course, not too well. I'm sure that we will be great competitors in the coming years.”

Gorman said that Ingall had been a valuable member of the Ford Racing family, and admitted that it was difficult to see the veteran move on.

"At the end of the day, we will be sad to see Russell leave the Ford Racing family, but he is a super-competitive driver who still has a few years left in him yet," he reasoned, "Russell has been a terrific ambassador for the Ford brand in Australia over the last five years, with the 2005 championship obviously being the on-track highlight of his time with us. We wish him all the best of luck - but not too much."