The 2017 Ford GT debuted with a bang at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, marking the Blue Oval’s return to the supercar world after nearly a decade. Developed as a spiritual successor to both the 2005-2006 Ford GT and the iconic 1964-1969 Ford GT40 race car of the 1960s, the new GT also spawned an endurance racer set to hit the track in 2016.
Developed together with Multimatic Motorsports, Roush Yates Engines, Michelin, Brembo and CGRFS, the GT race car will make its track debut in the 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona before running the full schedules of both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. More importantly, it will mark Ford’s return to Le Mans exactly 50 years after the GT40 scored its famous 1-2-3 finish in 1966. Unlike its ancestor though, the new GT will compete in the LM GTE Pro class.
Development of the GT racing program began back in 2013, when Ford teamed up with Chip Ganassi Racing, which will also run the cars in the 2016 racing season. Having already won 17 major championships, including races at the Indy 500, 24 Hours of Daytona, and Sebring, Chip Ganassi aims to add the 24 Hours of Le Mans to his trophy room.
“We believe the Ford GT’s advances in aerodynamics, light-weighting (sic) and EcoBoost power will make for a compelling race car that can once again compete on a global stage," said FoMoCo chief technical officer Raj Nair.
Updated 03/21/2016: Ford announced it will launch a series of new video for its latest GT supercar called "Ford GT Documentary." The video will be about the 50th anniversary of the GT’s legendary win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. The first episode called "The Return" features Bill Ford, Raj Nair, Dave Pericak and Edsel B. Ford II, who attended the 1966 race with his father Henry Ford II. Hit "play" to watch it!
Click Continue Reading to learn more about the Ford GT Le Mans race car.
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