On Sunday, the Ford Mustang GT won Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama. It was a race for the history books, with first time winner Kiwi Matt Payne and seasoned Aussie veteran Garth Tander taking the lead with just five laps to go to secure victory in the Grove Racing Ford Mustang. They started from 18th on the grid and just chipped away all day, relentlessly working their way through the field. To take the lead on lap 156 was nothing short of heroic.

Going into the race the mood was tense, with difficult discussions around parity politics. Ford had not won at Bathurst since 2019. Special thanks must go to Dick Johnson Racing, who without its tireless efforts as our Homologation Team this victory would not be possible. I want to thank every Ford team – Grove Racing, Dick Johnson Racing, Tickford Racing, Walkinshaw Andretti United, and Blanchard Racing Team – who all fought relentlessly throughout the race, and embodied Ford’s spirit of fearless competition..

Sunday began under sunny skies, but conditions soon deteriorated. Persistent rain throughout the back-half of the race, and thick fog in the final laps, ensured this was a proper Bathurst classic – a torturous day of competition and crashes that tested every single team and driver.

For me personally, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. I wanted a win so bad for the team. Today, I feel an immense sense of relief and pride in everyone associated with this achievement. To Stephen, Brenton, Matt, Garth, and the entire Grove team, you achieved the extraordinary and delivered an inspiring performance for racing fans around the world.

It wasn’t just about the winners, either. It was the entire team coming together. From Mark Rushbrook’s global Ford Racing team who were on the ground Down Under to our local team, who organise everything from the drives and parades to the car displays and media engagements, and to the unsung heroes behind the scenes, pouring over charts and data. Even in the most intense moments in the garage, there were smiles, a clear demonstration of the fight and the never-giving-up attitude that defines this race and our team.

Everyone understood how much this victory means to Ford, our dealers, and our fans both in Australia and New Zealand. I saw it firsthand, during the pre-race parade – the number of blue flags being waved, there’s a real authenticity in sharing this moment with our community.

“Everyone understood how much this victory means to Ford, our dealers, and our fans both in Australia and New Zealand”

Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand

In this 100th year of Ford in Australia, this win is worth celebrating. It gets to the core of why we come to work every day: to build an incredible brand that inspires real passion in people.

We won today - and even when we don’t, we show up with grit and determination.

Andrew Birkic is President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand