Should the Ford GT Race in Sportscar Racing?

[JohnBM01]

The Ford GT is the modern version of the famed Ford GT40, the "Ferrari Slayer." The Ford GT40 is in my view, is a wonderful machine. Its racing success at Le Mans and its ability to take out the Ferraris gave it the title "Ferrari Slayer." But a question I'd like to ask you is this... do you think the Ford GT should make a return to GT/sportscar racing?

To me, I'd love to see it return to racing. As much as technology improved from the GT40's hiatus, the transition from 1960s to 2004 is a very big one. Technology nowadays may mean that the Ford GT will most likely sport carbon fiber, a big GT wing, maybe even a little more bodywork, maybe even extra lights, and all the nitty-gritty of modern-era sportscars. A lot of people don't like Ford, but I admire them reviving not one, but three classic cars- Mustang, Cobra, and of course, the GT40 as simply the GT. All we need now is an Australian-style Ford Falcon that doesn't get Americanized to death.

Anyhow, imagine the Ford GT challenging the Chevy Corvette. Then, I think the Dodge Viper should join the fray and make it a rebirth of three of the top American cars. If the GT doesn't make it to ALMS, I'd love to see Corvette vs. the lovely Oreca Viper team. But the Chevy/Ford rivalry will have yet ANOTHER rivalry. And if they go to Le Mans, while a royal blue car w/ white stripes sounds nice, for nostalgia's sake, go with the Gulf colors and have good racers to race the Circuit de la Sarthe. So anyhow, the Ford GT. Return to racing? Or just stay as a streetcar that pays homage to its racing variant of the 1960s?

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I would love to see the GT40 in racing!

Apparently the GT40 will be racing in this years bathurst 24 hour! I hope this is true. It probaly is because my step brother saw a GT40 on the back of a truck not long ago and I have heard other people say they have seen them around.

 

[pimp racer]

Yes that would be amazing but even better would be the gt40.

 

[The359]

As a competitor to the Ferrari 360, that would place the Ford GT in LeMans GT class. Unfortunatly supercharging is banned in GT class, so it'd be impossible for the Ford GT to race.

 

[Darin]

Originally posted by The359
As a competitor to the Ferrari 360, that would place the Ford GT in LeMans GT class. Unfortunatly supercharging is banned in GT class, so it'd be impossible for the Ford GT to race.

I was about to say that when I saw this thread.

 

[pimp racer]

Originally posted by The359
As a competitor to the Ferrari 360, that would place the Ford GT in LeMans GT class. Unfortunatly supercharging is banned in GT class, so it'd be impossible for the Ford GT to race.

Take out the supercharger and look for a different soucre for power.

 

[Firestarter75]

If they remove the supercharger they would have to comply with homologation requirements which I think is 250 production units for big manufacturers in GTS, i.e.- Corvette. Ferrari, Saleen and Lamborghini fall under small manufacturers and must produce 25 road going units. I don't have the rules in front of me but homologation is covered on the lemans.org site, just follow the links to the rules and it will tell how many are required.

 

[kart racer]

They don't need the supercharger to make h.p. Ford has a rich racing division(as Chevy found out in the IRL) and it wouldn't be long before they will have a proper race engine in the new GT40.



edit: Can they use the supercharger in GTS?

 

[Firestarter75]

Yes, but not at that engine size. Engine is WAY too big for it.

 

[Darin]

Originally posted by kart racer
They don't need the supercharger to make h.p. Ford has a rich racing division(as Chevy found out in the IRL) and it wouldn't be long before they will have a proper race engine in the new GT40.



edit: Can they use the supercharger in GTS?

The car would not be able to compete with the Covette's, Viper's, Zonda's, and the 575 / 550 Maranello's.

 

[kart racer]

Why?

 

[Darin]

Originally posted by kart racer
Why?

The Car would not class in GTS anyway.

 

[JohnBM01]

Now, here's a different view of this issue. Now let's think about it. Let's say that Ford decides to come up with a GTS variant of the Ford GT? Think about it. More power, MUCH lighter, better handling, and most likely with a GT wing. Maybe even imagine that it closely resembles the Le Mans-winning GT40s. I think one model had more lighting and looked more aerodynamic. What do you say about this exclusive Ford GT I'm thinking about?

 

[JAGUAR]

The new Ford GT could easily compete in either GTS or the smaller GT class. As it is aimed as a competitor to the 360 and 911 it would likely compete in the GT class.

I'm not sure superchargers are banned, but even if they are the regs allow the manufactuer to take off the supercharger and enlarge the engine upto 8l in GTS, and I believe 6l in GT (maybe 8l).

It would be very easy to get 500BHP from an atmo Ford V8 for the GT class.

The GTS class allows cars to have many mods to engine location, gearbox, bodywork, aero, etc. No need for a new road car to homologate these mods.

The GT class allows less mods to engine location etc, with small mods allowed to the bodywork and aero of the car.

Having said all that it is unlikely the Ford GT will compete in GT racing as all of Fords resources will be going to Prodrive who are building the new works Aston Martin DB9 for Le Mans/LMES/ALMS and FIA GT.

 

[kart racer]

But I feel that Ford would gain alot more exposer from the GT40 if it ran in the GT or GTS class.A North American car taking on the Europe supercars would make great press for Ford.It has helpes the Vette and the Viper did really well when they raced.So, why not?