Speculation surrounding John Force sponsor peaks

3 November, 2014

Speculation and anticipation surrounding the sponsorship of one of the world’s most well-known drag racers, John Force, has now been put to rest. John Force Racing (JFR) and Peak have announced a new agreement that sees Peak Antifreeze and Coolant and BlueDEF brands coming on board as primary sponsor for John Force during the 2015 NHRA season and beyond. This follows reports earlier this year that Force’s existing primary sponsors, Ford and Castrol would both be cutting back at the end of the 2014 NHRA season.

John Force Racing will be sponsored by Peak Antifreeze and Coolant for the 2015 NHRA season

The new agreement sees the brands as the primary sponsor of John Force’s Funny Car for the majority of the 2015 season, as well as continuing as a major associate sponsor on team members Robert Hight, Courtney Force, and Brittany Force’s cars.

“I’m committed to continuing to lead a championship team and Peak has proven a similar commitment to the NHRA. Thanks to Peak Antifreeze and Coolant, I won’t be hanging up my hat from this sport anytime soon,” said 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force.

The crowd checks out the new-look Peak Antifreeze and Coolant–sponsored Funny Car

Old World Industries includes the Peak Antifreeze and Coolant and BlueDEF brands, and its chief marketing officer, Bryan Emrich, says the company is honoured to be behind John Force and JFR for the 2015 season and into the future.

“Peak chooses partners that exude the same passion and personal character of hard work that our company upholds. After working with John over the past year, it was clear that he and his family are a great fit for our company, allowing us to make the decision to step up and ensure John keeps racing for many more years to come. He is an icon in this sport and a fan favourite, and we are lucky to be tied with such a great championship-winning organization.”

Lunch with… Jim Palmer

In the 1960s, Hamilton’s Jim Palmer won the prestigious ‘Gold Star’ four times and was the first resident New Zealander home in the New Zealand Grand Prix on five consecutive occasions. He shared the podium with Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Denny Hulme, Jackie Stewart, and Chris Amon. The extent of his domination of the open-wheeler scene in New Zealand will probably never be matched or exceeded. Yet he’s always been modest about his achievements.

NZ Classic Car magazine, May/June 2025 issue 399, on sale now

Who would have thought it would become such a worldwide motorsport star when Ford introduced the humble Escort in 1967?
Its popularity, particularly in Mark 1 form, is now of iconic status. Our cover story for this issue is on a 1968 Ford Escort Mark 1, Alan Mann Racing Tribute. We talked with the owner of this very special Escort, finished in tribute also to the owner’s father.
“Most children love speed, and motorsport typically comes courtesy of a parent, and Elliott is no different. His engineer father, Mark, had a love for motorcycles and going fast; however, when children came along, he swapped two wheels for four, in the form of two Ford Escorts.
Little did Mark know it at the time, but the humble Escort was about to weave its way into the family fabric once and for all.
After emigrating from London to New Zealand, Elliott recalled one evening when he was 14 being invited to tag along by his father, helping a friend convert an Escort road car into a racing car. This was the pivotal moment when Elliott remembers the motorsport bug taking over. He knew he had to have his own one.”