FORD WINS MULTIPLE ROAD RACING PODIUMS
FORD GT & FORD MUSTANG GT4 WIN
MOORESVILLE, NC – May 7, 2018 – The Ford road racing programs brought home multiple wins this past weekend from around the world. The No. 66 Ford GT won the FIA World Endurance Series Super Season opener in Belgium, while in the IMSA Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge Series, the Ford Mustang GT4s recorded a 1-2 podium finish in the Mid-Ohio 120.
“I’m very proud of what our team accomplished this weekend,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “To win both season openers in our Ford GT program and back-to-back races with the Ford Mustang (GT4) program is a testament of the hard work by our teams. The twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 and Ford Mustang 5.2L V8 engines are true examples of how technology transfers between the race programs and Ford’s OE street cars. We will keep optimizing these engine packages to ensure we are ready for our competition.”
The two Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GTs started 1-2 on the GTE Pro grid after locking down the front row in Friday’s Qualifying session in the 6 Hours of Spa at the historic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The No. 67 with combined lap times from Andy Priaulx (GBR) and Harry Tincknell (GBR) secured the pole position.
In a drama packed race, the No. 66 Ford GT, raced by Stefan Mücke (DEU), Olivier Pla (FRA) and Billy Johnson (USA) were able to convert their front row starting position into their first 2018 win. The team also took away the maximum championship points from the first race of the 2018-19 WEC Super Season over the weekend.
With one hour left in the race, Pla steadily reeled in the leader and after a timely restart he was on the attack. In the move of the race he passed the No. 91 Porsche through Eau Rouge and never looked back, building on his lead until he crossed the finish line to take the FCGR Ford GT to Victory Lane in the season opener.
“I knew on the last stint that I needed to pass the No. 91 Porsche quickly so I could then build up a safety gap so it was good to get it done,” said Pla. “It was a very difficult season for us last year; we had a lot of pace, but there was always something, some drama and bad luck that cost us the results. We are really happy today. My teammates did a perfect job all weekend and the car has been fantastic so I hope we can continue like this!”
“To be one of the development drivers of the Ford GT and to be able to race it is a huge honor,” said Johnson. To then win in that car brings the whole thing full circle and is a dream come true. I love driving with these guys and it’s great to have such a brilliant team – what a great start to the 2018/19 season!”
Next stop for the Ford GT drivers will be the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In the IMSA CTSC series, Kyle Marcelli, Nate Stacy in the No. 60 KohR Motosports/Roush Performance earned their second IMSA CTSC race win in a row, after winning the Mid-Ohio 120.
The No.8 Ford Mustang GT4 team of Chad McCumbee and Patrick Gallagher started from the pole position.
The excitement mounted as it came down to the last minutes of the race on Saturday. Marcelli (No. 60) drew in Gallagher (No. 8) and passed him with just over three minutes left in the race. Gallagher would fight back, but Marcelli held on, to cross the finish line with a gap of 0.286 seconds.
“I knew if I just didn’t make a mistake, that we had the pace to do it,” said Marcelli in Victory Lane. “Finally, with just a few minutes to go it looked like I could make the pass and I knew when I finally caught him, I had to make it right away. We went door-to-door in turn two and it was just really good racing. Two-for-two for Ford and Roush Performance and KohR. Our strategy was awesome as well. It was a bit risky. We came in early to make our final stop shorter and it paid off with track position.”
Ford Performance NASCAR driver Chase Briscoe made his third start of the year in the No. 15 Multimatic Ford Mustang GT4 and continues to get crucial experience. He and Scott Maxwell finished 22nd, after Ford Mustang GT4 teams AWA (P10), KohR Motorsports (P11) and VOLT Lighting (P16).
The Ford Mustangs will be back on the track at Watkins Glen in July.
14 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 328 WINS – 291 POLES!