Ford Announces Promotion of Davis to Lead Ford Motorsports
1 November 1997
DAN DAVIS TO LEAD FORD’S MOTORSPORT ACTIVITIES
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 31, 1997 -- Dan Davis has been named director
of Ford Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), and head of Ford’s worldwide auto
racing efforts, effective immediately, the Company has announced.
Davis replaces Bruce Cambern, who has headed up SVO since October,
1996. Cambern’s next assignment will be announced shortly.
"We’re excited about having Dan come aboard to lead our auto racing
program into a new era," said Bob Rewey, Ford group vice president,
Marketing, Sales and Service, who has overall global motorsport
responsibilities at the company. "We’ve been looking the past year at the
way we approach motorsport from both a marketing and an operations
standpoint, and I think the combination of Dan’s global experience within
the company and his experience within our racing program, both here and
abroad, will suit him well in this position."
Davis, whose most recent position was executive director, Quality,
Ford Automotive Operations, will oversee Ford’s global racing efforts,
headed up by Greg Specht in the United States and Martin Whitaker in
Europe.
"We’re thankful for the job Bruce Cambern has done in the past
year, stepping in quickly when Dan Rivard decided to return to retirement,"
said Rewey. "Certainly, with the successful launch of both Stewart Grand
Prix and the new NASCAR Taurus this year, he’s had a lot to contend with in
a very short period of time."
"I’m excited about the challenge of this new job," said Davis. "I
believe this position is as much about managing successful relationships
with drivers, teams and sanctioning bodies as it is in managing the
technology and programs it takes to put forth a championship effort. And,
because of that, I look forward to re-establishing some of the
relationships I had when I was previously involved with Ford’s racing
program."
"Motorsport is a very important part of Ford Motor Company’s
business today, and I plan to approach it that way," said Davis. "If we
use it correctly, both from a marketing and technology sense, it can
provide dividends to the company year after year.
"From my previous experiences, I am convinced the technology
transfer aspects of the program are real, both in terms of developing
products and in developing young engineers. I’ve been involved with those
areas in the past and I’m looking forward to being part of them again."
Davis, 48, joined Ford Motor Company in 1976 and has held a variety
of product engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and business positions
within the components divisions, powertrain operations, car product
development, and Ford Automotive Operations.
From 1991-1993, he was director of vehicle controls and powertrain
products for Ford Electronics Division, where he was also responsible for
motorsport engineering programs in:
· Formula One: all vehicle, engine control and telemetry systems for the
Benetton-Ford program;
· CART: engine control and telemetry for the Walker Racing CART program;
· NASCAR: telemetry program for NASCAR television broadcasts;
· SCORE off-road: transmission controls and engine management for Ford
trucks;
· IMSA road racing: engine management and telemetry with Roush Racing.
Davis’ previous experience includes worldwide responsibilities as
executive director, Quality, FAO; executive director, Manufacturing
Procurement Operations, Purchasing; director of Subsystems Engineering,
Automotive Components Division; and general manufacturing manager,
Electronics Division, where he oversaw seven manufacturing plants in seven
different countries.
Ford's motorsport program is the world's most diverse. Ford is the
only auto manufacturer currently involved in what most consider the four
most significant race series worldwide -- NASCAR Winston Cup, PPG CART
World Series, the Formula One World Championship, and the World Rally
Championship.