The iconic Ford GT race car will cut laps with Australian Ryan Briscoe behind the wheel at this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Ford Performance has confirmed plans to bring the Blue Oval’s GTE sportscar to Mount Panorama for a special appearance at The Great Race from October 4-7.
The #67 Chip Ganassi Racing run machine due to cut laps is regularly piloted by Briscoe and Brit Richard Westbrook in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and at the famous Le Mans 24 Hours.
Since making its debut in 2016, the Ford GT has won the GTE Pro class at the Le Mans 24 Hours that year and the GTLM class at the last two editions of the Daytona 24 Hours.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to put this amazing race car on such an iconic circuit,” said Kay Hart, Ford Australian and New Zealand President and CEO.
“Innovation through design and engineering drives Ford Performance, and where better than Bathurst to introduce the Ford Performance GT to Australians.”
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Sydney-born driver Briscoe is eager to see how the Ford GT will cope around the challenging 6.2km Mount Panoroma circuit.
“The Ford GT is an ultra-high-performance car, so I’m really excited and honoured to turn the Ford GT’s first laps at Bathurst” Briscoe said.
“For me, Bathurst is one of the best, if not the best racing circuit in the world.
“Nothing quite compares to Bathurst. Bathurst as a circuit demands the highest respect at all times.”
Supercars boss Sean Seamer believes the demo run will prove to be good addition to the support bill at this year’s Bathurst 1000.
“To have such an iconic vehicle in the Ford GT here – a car with strong success in some of the world’s greatest races – is something Australian fans will love, and it shows how highly-regarded Bathurst is globally, and by Ford and Ford Performance,” said Seamer.
“To have Ryan, an Aussie who has driven with us many times at Bathurst, Sandown and on the Gold Coast, is the icing on the cake.”
This year will be the final Bathurst 1000 for the Ford Falcon which will be replaced by the Mustang, that is currently being developed by Ford Performance in the US.
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