Bleeding blue ... V8 Supercars losing support of Ford a major blow

Ford has played a major role in V8 Supercars for decades, forming a legendary rivalry with Holden in the process. It is a feud not just waged in the grandstands, but on the race track and between the drivers as well. Fans can recall many memorable moments of when Winterbottom and Whincup or Ambrose and Murphy were at each other's throats.

To the dismay of their legions of fans, Ford Australia will cease participation in the sport and end all factory support of FPR at the conclusion of 2015. The absence is indefinite. Ford will also be closing the doors on its Australian manufacturing plant, killing off the Falcon in the process.

Fans angry, upset, and confused by decision

Teams now race towards an uncertain future with major regulation changes coming and now, Ford bowing out of the series. The blue oval has enjoyed tremendous success in V8SCs and as alluded to before, have the loyal support of many Australian fans. We're talking dedication that may even supersede that of American race fans, fueled by countless wins and the iconic rivalry forged with Holden, all of which has helped to make the brand synonymous with Australian motorsport. Those fans now feel betrayed.

At least with the recent introduction of Nissan, Mercedes, and Volvo, some diversity will remain on the grid. Holden's biggest threat is and always has been Ford, but that title will now fall onto Volvo and more specifically, young superstar Scott McLaughlin.

Fords will slowly drop off

Although we will likely continue to see blue ovals on the grid, they become a far less attractive marque as the suits plan to pull all factory dollars. As we saw with Pontiac in NASCAR, Fords will fade to the back of the field before vanishing from the grid altogether. With Ford gone, a piece of V8 Supercar racing dies with it.

Even bitter rival Holden lobbied for Ford to remain, but like the fans, their pleas fell on deaf ears. No matter where our allegiances lie, we all bleed blue today.