"Our research shows that one-third of potential car buyers are motor sport fans, " said Jamie Allison, director of Ford racing.

WSJ: Daytona 500: The Revival of the Ford-Chevy Rivalry

"It's just another type of feeling--it's different, " says Platts, who works on Ford's racing and high-performance teams.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Mercedes head Ernst Lieb, Automotive News publisher Keith Crain, racing legend Stirling Moss and Edsel and young Henry Ford all feasted on roast quail and filet mignon, as did about 200 other VIP owners, dealers and journalists who packed the dining room overlooking the beach.

FORBES: Edsel Ford, Stirling Moss at Mercedes Dinner at Pebble

Its engine, positioned in racing-car style behind the driver's seat, was a Ford, so spares were easily available and relatively cheap.

ECONOMIST: Alejandro De Tomaso, car maker, died on May 21st, aged 74

So Button graduated to car racing as a 17-year-old in 1998 in the British Formula Ford championship.

BBC: How good is Button?