Ford Performance Racing (FPR) gave new Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) ambassador Harry Kewell the ultimate adrenalin rush last weekend at the L&H 500 Phillip Island where the team welcomed him to the family with a ride alongside Will Davison in the #6 Trading Post FPR Falcon.
Kewell, who is also now a partner of Ford Australia, is one of Australia’s most successful ever football exports and recently signed to A-League side Melbourne Victory
The Socceroo rapidly adapted to his role as a V8 Supercar passenger by donning the special edition FPV GT BLACK racesuit that Davison’s co-driver Luke Youlden was to wear later in the day when the pair claimed third place in the 500 kilometre race.
Davison took FPV’s new ambassador for two laps of the 4.44km-long track.
The former English Premier League star has long been a fan of V8-powered machinery and thoroughly enjoyed his time in the car.
“I have always loved V8 racing and for me FPV offers the ultimate performance range of cars to take on the world” said Kewell about joining the FPV.
“It feels like I’m back home now,” Kewell told waiting media at the end of his lap. “Everyone here has been perfect and I really appreciate everything they’ve done.”
Davison raced in the United Kingdom when Kewell was playing at the top level in the country and was more than happy to provide him with the experience at one of the best race tracks in the country.
“I love giving people from other sports this experience as it is so unique and they get such a rush from it,” Davison said.
“Harry was a great passenger and I could see he was really getting into it. I pushed it as hard as I realistically could ahead of such a big race.
“I gained a real appreciation for what footballers do when I was living overseas so I know how good he is. Football, or soccer is the world’s biggest sport and Harry has won some of the biggest tournaments in the world so for someone so successful he was very humble. A great guy.”
Kewell spent time with the team following his ride and watched the warm-up session from the FPR garage.