Club Arnage

Hi everyone.  Long time no see.  I've been busy not going to Le Mans for the last 5 years.  ;D

Anyway - here are some photos from the GT's first test session.  Local for me, and I wish I could have seen it, but didn't.  Looks like the same car from the racing version's unveiling.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/exclusive-ford-gt-testing-at-road-america-photos/

I want one. Now.

Be interesting to see how it performs on its debut at Daytona in 6 months time and then how the Ford teams fare 5 months later having not run at Le Mans before.  Hope that it is good enough out of the box to add to the cut and thrust of Corvette, Aston, Ferrari and Porsche in GTE, although all of those are getting somewhat long in the tooth now.

I imagine that there will be a fair showing of GT40s in a parade/support race of some kind next year at Le Mans.  I wonder if we'll see the '66 1-2-3 finish cars reunited....and maybe the MkIV from '67.....and maybe 1075 from '68 and '69.......hopefully the stage is set for a GT40 porn show without equal at La Sarthe next year.           

MG Mark

I read recently that 1966 winner has been sold at auction. I really hate to see historic cars like that being bounced around at auction. The 1967 winning MKIV resides in the Ford museum in Michigan (along with Clark's 1965 Indy 500 winning Lotus).
There was a lot of chatter about the effort at the Indycar weekend at Mid Ohio last weekend, especially since Ganassi Racing has been nominated to run the program. Definitely a crack outfit.
Fax

They certainly seem to be, and one that is humble enough to say it hasn't been to the great race before and  its going to be a challenge.

MG Mark

Ironically, while the team hasn't raced at the Sarthe, team principal Chip Ganassi has, in a Sauber in '87 if I recall correctly.  They've been the dominant team in Grand-Am (now Tudor series) over the past decade or so, and have six wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, so they know how to go endurance racing.  Obviously one of the powerhouse teams in Indycar, and NASCAR as well.
Fax

Just to be clear which part of North America the Ford GT comes from  ;D
Read the article.
http://www.thestar.com/autos/2015/12/25/markhams-multimatic-named-wheels-automotive-newsmaker-of-2015.html

Note the Aston Martin Vulcan tubs come from the same factory based on the One77 because they also came from here.
Phil

How likely is it that we'll see the BMW M6 GTLM and a Dodge Viper in the same class as well?

The RLL BMW's will race in the same class as the Ford GT's in the States (GTE Pro).  The Turner BMW and Riley Viper will race in GTD.

Made in Canada!.  Original Ford GTs were made in Slough, which is famous for ugggh nothing, and even the Cobras were made in Thames Ditton.  When is Ford US going to get its act together?

Don't you mean poetry, as in "come friendly bombs and fall on Slough"

Some great renders of the Ford in Gulf Racing colours circulating on the interwebs.

I really hope that do bring at least one car in blue and orange.

Drivers announced today : http://clubarnage.blogspot.be/2016/01/ford-reveals-drivers-for-2016-wec.html

Class line-up

Beat me too it - good names there. It will be interesting to see how well the car works at the season opener.

While it would be lovely to see one in Gulf colours, I'd be surprised as none of the originals in that livery were factory team cars

MG Mark

The annual IMSA pre-Daytona test is this weekend, it'll be the first time they'll be measured head to head against their GTLM competition. Will be interesting to see how they stack up against Vettes, Bimmers, and various Ferrari's, and Porsche's.
http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/races/entry_lists/2016%20ROAR%20Pre-Event%20Provisional%20Entry%20List%2012-30_v2.pdf
http://www.imsa.com/races/roar-rolex-24-1
Fax

Have they definitely committed to LM?

I don't care if they win their class, I just want to see what looks to me like sex on wheels pile round.

Aricus

Yes indeed - both pairs from the WEC and IMSA to be at Le Mans

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport-le-mans/2016-ford-gt-brits-andy-priaulx-and-marino-franchitti-join-race-team (http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport-le-mans/2016-ford-gt-brits-andy-priaulx-and-marino-franchitti-join-race-team)

MG Mark

LM GTE Pro field at Le Mans might look like this :  

4 Ford GTE (2 WEC + 2 IMSA)
2-3 Aston Martin Vantage V8 (AMR)
2 Corvette C7R (Corvette Racing)
3 Porsche 911 RSR (2 Porsche USA, 1 Dempsey-Proton)
2-3 Ferrari 488 (2 AF Corse, 1 SMP Racing ?)
? Ferrari 458


At Daytona today, first 7 GTLM cars within 0.8 seconds.  Fords were 0.32 seconds off pace compared to fastest BMW M6

'Been watchin' via: https://livescoring.us/2016/imsa00/scoring.php  :)

Don't know if other sessions   were/how to get   archived.  ???