Pericak Promoted; Rushbrook Named New Ford Motorsports Director

Photo: Drew Gibson/Ford

Ford has confirmed changes to its motorsports management, effective Dec. 1, with Ford Performance Global Director Dave Pericak promoted to a new major role in product development.

Pericak, who oversaw the formation of manufacturer’s Ford GT program, including its victorious return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be replaced by engineering chief Mark Rushbrook, who will become the Global Director for Ford’s motorsports activities.

Hermann Salenbauch, meanwhile, will oversee Ford Performance’s production vehicles, with Pericak’s role now split between the two.

Pericak’s new assignment as Engineering Director of North America Unibody Applications, will see the former Mustang chief engineer be responsible for engineering delivery for all of Ford’s unibody programs on the continent.

It is the second major promotion to have come from its motorsports program, with Raj Nair named as Executive VP and President of Ford North America in June.

“It’s always hard to leave something that you have led the creation and development of, like Ford Performance, but it’s the right thing for the company and for me right now,” Pericak said.

“The timing with Dec. 1 was specific because we are committed to helping our NASCAR and WEC teams win championships this year and we are all-in to do just that.

“Part of the original plan was for us to rotate people in and out of Ford Performance to take those things we learn in racing back into Ford mainstream engineering, and that goes for me too. 

“So I look forward to the challenges ahead, but really want to help Ford win a few more championships this coming month.”

Rushbrook has been the Motorsports Engineering Manager at Ford Performance since its inception, and like Pericak and Nair, have played key roles in the development of the Ford GT race car, as well as the new-for-2017 Ford Mustang GT4.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John