Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

After 18 years as part of Fords' SVT team Jesse Kershaw is leaving as of this Friday .This reporter will tell you he was the perfect car guy in his job and will be missed for sure.

Those of you in or near the Motor City can join him this Friday at 4 to share some stories and laughs at Buffalo Wild Wings on Michigan Avenue .

No word as to his future plans .................

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Agree, Jesse was a great guy to work with as regards to Ford products and always went the extra mile to help.

On the same, the COPO guys lost a great guy in Robin Wright when he left General Motors.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

I'm sorry to see him go. He helped us a lot on sourcing parts, etc. when we were building our Mustang.
I wish him well in his future endeavors.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Sorry to hear him leave Ford.
He was a great help when I needed engine specs submitted to IHRA.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Jesse has been very helpful to so many racers, will miss his visits at the track. A true enthusiast!

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

I think Jesse was great for Ford Racing. Does anyone know why he is leaving? Is Ford turning it's back on drag racing even more now?

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Looks like he got a new job.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Jesse is the new NHRA Division 3 Director. Was announced to track operators yesterday that Jay Hullinger is retiring.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

^^^^^^ will that be like the fox watching the chickens?

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Larry, I don't know Mr Kershaw but I would like to think his background will just make it harder for the Ford guys to get anything past him.

Forever the optimist,
Bill

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

If all this is true, Jesse will be just fine.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Jesse and I have had a few enjoyable games of verbal volleyball, fact is I still had my fingers crossed for a Steve McQueen "Bullet" green CJ.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Saw a documentary type show that stated that the Charger kept running away from the Bullet...just wanted to add that important historical footnote LOL.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

As I recall they trashed 3 Stangs going thru those Frisco moguls, front ends kept falling out. Only needed one Charger.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

I believe your information is incorrect. There more than one charger used up. There were two Mustangs to start with, only one used, the on that was crashed at the end of the chase. The other Bullet Mustang is being privately held and stored.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

I would think and hope from his experience of working with racers while he was at Ford would make him a good fit for racers as the DD.......

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

No way. For sure they needed more than one Ford and only one Mopar. Ever look at a stang front end?

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Do you mean the "Stang front end" that dozens of wheelstanding Stock and Super Stockers have been landing from wheelstands for about 50 years? Seem fairly durable to me! Any idea how many hubcaps fell off that Charger ? Certainly more than 4!

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

What does the movie Bullitt have to do with this thread?

Stock and S/S has a DD coming in that came from a company that switched their money spent at NHRA from John Force Racing to the Sportsman ranks. Think about that for a minute. Jesse Kershaw worked for the part of Ford that gave us the CobraJet program. That means he was deep into Stock and S/S racing at the factory level. Pushing NHRA to accept factory hotrods in their program was a move that gave Stock and S/S a shot in the arm. Jesse Kershaw was right there at the top of the company's racing program. Although he will have to be a NHRA company man, I think he will be an asset to NHRA's Stock and Super Stock racing which we could all welcome.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Because like Kershaw, we're "car guys". And indeed having a kindred spirit as a DD is a good thing.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Now is the Division 3 office now going to be in Michigan?

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

According to the D3 site the office will be moved to the Detroit area. I like it.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

If they move the office, I hope that Joan goes with it. Her customer service is first class, in my experience.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

She is not going to Detroit. Retiring as well. Moving headquarters to Detroit instead of someplace centrally located with in the division makes no sense....

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

I'm sure most D3 racers are like myself and owe Joan a tip of the hat and a big "Thank you" for all that she has done for all of her racers. Joan we all wish you the very best!

Thanks

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

The best of luck to Jesse Kershaw in his new position as D3 Division Director. Jimmy Ronzello introduced me to Jesse a few years ago at Indy. In my conversations with him, he was always a class act. I am sure that he will do a great job in D3.

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Heard thru the grapevine that the first order of business was getting you Michigan guys a points meet..............in Michigan.....

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

On the nice side of Detroit lol...........

Re: Jesse Kershaw leaving Ford SVT
 

Amen Marty
Joan is the best!