FORD GT WINS FUJI! | 1-2 FINISH!
FUJI, JAPAN, October 17, 2016 – The No. 67 Ford GT, driven by Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell took the checkered flag for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing. Winning the FIA World Endurance Championship Series, 6 Hours of Fuji. The Priaulx / Tincknell duo achieved their first win of the WEC season in dramatic fashion at the Fuji Speedway in the seventh race of the season.
“Your first win for a manufacturer is always special but with everything we’ve been through this season it’s a massive relief,” added Harry Tincknell.
The No. 66 sister car driven by Olivier Pla and Stefan Mücke made it a 1-2 Ford finish.
Roush Yates Engines in partnership with Ford Performance redefined the twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 race engine to provide the power for the Ford GT to win the six hour endurance race, leading the majority of the 212 laps completed on the 2.835 mile circuit (601 miles) at the base of Mt. Fuji.
The Ford GT and Ford EcoBoost V6 ran flawlessly and the tandem team of Priaulx and Tincknell drove a spectacular race on the demanding 16-turn road course, known for the signature long straight away, high speed middle-section and tight technical turns. Tincknell took the No. 67 to the lead at the start of the race by driving to the front at the drop of the green flag.
It was an entire team effort, pit stops and driver changes were executed perfectly during the six hour race and was key to the team’s success.
“This was an incredible race,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “To see the Ford GT on pole and then on top of the podium, in first and second, it doesn’t get any better. The Roush Yates Engines’ team is very proud to be part of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team’s fifth GT win and our own 280th overall win.”
The No. 67 recorded the fastest lap of the race with Tincknell laying down a lap time of 1:38.575.
No.66 of Pla and Mücke secured the Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LM GTE) class pole during qualifying on Saturday in Fuji and the No. 67 took second place to make it an all Ford GT front row.
In the hunt for the World Endurance Championship points, the victory moved the No. 67 up to fourth and the No. 66 to third in LMGTE team standings.
The teams are posed for the last two races of the season, taking them to Shanghai – China and wrapping up the 2016 season in Sakhir – Bahrain.
Weekend Recap: 3 RACES – 1 WIN – 1 POLE
2016 FIA
World Endurance Championship
November 6: Shanghai Circuit – China
November 19: Bahrain International Circuit – Bahrain
13 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 280 WINS – 249 POLES!