Does Ford still race Le Mans?

Does Ford Still Race Le Mans?

Ford, one of the iconic American automakers, has a long and storied history in motorsports. Specifically, the company has a rich history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a total of 11 overall wins under its belt. But, the question on everyone’s mind is: does Ford still race Le Mans?

A Brief Look at Ford’s Le Mans Legacy

Ford’s involvement in Le Mans dates back to 1964 when the company first entered the prestigious event. Over the years, Ford has accumulated 11 overall wins, with its latest victory coming in 1969. After a 52-year hiatus, Ford announced its return to Le Mans in 2016, with a focus on the GT class. With its new Mustang GT4 car, Ford aimed to make a triumphant return to the French circuit.

Ford’s Return to Le Mans

In 2016, Ford announced its return to Le Mans, marking a significant milestone for the company. The new Mustang GT4 car was designed to compete in the GTE Pro class, and it debuted at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car featured a 5.2-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower, and was developed in collaboration with Mulitmatic, a Toronto-based racing team.

Ford’s GTE Pro Wins

Over the years, Ford has achieved great success in the GTE Pro class. In 2016, the No. 66 Ford GT GTE Pro car finished second in its class, while in 2017, the No. 67 Ford GT GTE Pro car secured second place. In 2019, Ford saw its best result to date, taking the overall win in the GTE Pro class with the No. 68 Ford GT GTE Pro car.

Ford’s Plans for the Future

While Ford has seen success in the GTE Pro class, the company has announced plans to continue its involvement in Le Mans. For the 2024 season, Ford is planning to enter the LMDh class, which is a new hybrid championship. The company has also announced that its new Mustang GT4 car will make its debut in the LMDh class, marking a new era in its Le Mans racing program.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ford does still race Le Mans, and the company has a long and storied history in the prestigious event. With its return to Le Mans in 2016, Ford marked a significant milestone in its motorsports program. And, with its plans to continue its involvement in Le Mans, Ford is poised for even greater success in the future. Here are some key points to summarize:

Key Points:

• Ford’s legacy in Le Mans dates back to 1964
• Ford has 11 overall wins at Le Mans
• The company returned to Le Mans in 2016 with its Mustang GT4 car
• Ford has achieved success in the GTE Pro class, including a 2019 overall win
• Ford is planning to enter the LMDh class and debut its new Mustang GT4 car

Table: Ford’s Le Mans Wins

Resources:

• Ford Performance
• Motorsport.com
• Le Mans website