Ford officials announced Jamie Allison, a 22-year company veteran with experience in engineering, product planning and marketing, has been named director, Ford North America Motorsports, effective January 1, 2010.
He'll replace Brian Wolfe who started in that role in 2008. Wolfe has been named to a new position in global product development.
"I'm excited about the challenge of helping take Ford's racing program forward," said Allison, who has been part of the Ford Racing management team for just over six years.
"For a kid who wanted to work for Ford Motor Company, to help carry forward a tradition that Henry Ford himself started is something special."
That last statement was in reference to Henry Ford's marketing the then-fledgling car company over 100-years ago by entering motor sports competitions.
Allison becomes the third director in three years, as Dan Davis held that post for 11 years before retiring in July of 2008.
In his present position as Ford Performance Group Manager, the Ford Racing Performance Parts business was transformed by offering ready-to-race vehicles for production-based racing, Performance Packs and new vehicle modifications for enthusiasts.
The team also partnered with Shelby Autos on the launch of enthusiast models, new Shelby performance vehicles, and created the Ford Performance Group as an outreach to Ford Clubs-all of which reinvigorated Ford's support of performance enthusiasts.
In related news, another project, the Cobra Jet, which was Ford's re-entry into NHRA Pro Stock after a 40-year hiatus has been a success winning it's debut outing in Pomona earlier this year.
A 2010-version of the Cobra Jet will go into production in January, with all 50 being sold in advance of production.
photo:Ford
He'll replace Brian Wolfe who started in that role in 2008. Wolfe has been named to a new position in global product development.
"I'm excited about the challenge of helping take Ford's racing program forward," said Allison, who has been part of the Ford Racing management team for just over six years.
"For a kid who wanted to work for Ford Motor Company, to help carry forward a tradition that Henry Ford himself started is something special."
That last statement was in reference to Henry Ford's marketing the then-fledgling car company over 100-years ago by entering motor sports competitions.
Allison becomes the third director in three years, as Dan Davis held that post for 11 years before retiring in July of 2008.
In his present position as Ford Performance Group Manager, the Ford Racing Performance Parts business was transformed by offering ready-to-race vehicles for production-based racing, Performance Packs and new vehicle modifications for enthusiasts.
The team also partnered with Shelby Autos on the launch of enthusiast models, new Shelby performance vehicles, and created the Ford Performance Group as an outreach to Ford Clubs-all of which reinvigorated Ford's support of performance enthusiasts.
In related news, another project, the Cobra Jet, which was Ford's re-entry into NHRA Pro Stock after a 40-year hiatus has been a success winning it's debut outing in Pomona earlier this year.
A 2010-version of the Cobra Jet will go into production in January, with all 50 being sold in advance of production.
photo:Ford