Motorsport: Team Kiwi ponder switching to Ford

Paul Radisich, of Team Kiwi Racing, lies 15th in this seaon's Supercar championship. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Team Kiwi, the only New Zealand-based team in the Australian V8 Supercar championship, is considering changing its loyalty from Holden to Ford.

The team runs a VZ Holden for Paul Radisich in the Supercar championship and also owns three VY Holdens for two drivers in the New Zealand V8 championship.

Team owner David John confirmed yesterday that he was negotiating with Ford about switching from Holden.

"We've had discussions with Ford New Zealand and Holden are aware of that. But nothing has been decided and no contracts have been signed," he said. "As far as the Supercar is concerned, nothing can happen until next year. For now we're with Holden and that must be our focus. I must handle the negotiations without affecting the rest of the team."

Team Kiwi has had a technical co-operation agreement with Paul Morris Motorsport for the past two years, but the benefits in the fiercely competitive world of Supercars have been mixed.

"Dollars dictate race results but this is not really about dollars," John insisted yesterday.

"You need to feel part of the family of the manufacturer. They need to be as committed to us as we are to them, when we've got millions of dollars invested.

"And they need to share our vision of TKR as a New Zealand-based team, backed by Kiwis and with Kiwi drivers."

John insists that whatever happens in the ongoing discussions, Team Kiwi will have a presence in the New Zealand championship that begins in November, either in Fords or Holdens.

Radisich had an encouraging result in the latest round of the Supercar championship in Queensland at the weekend.

He finished eighth for the round and lies 15th in the championship.

* John McIntyre, a Ford front-runner in the national V8 championship for the past two years, has confirmed that he will drive for his own Hawkes Bay-based team in this season's contest.