Introducing the Ford Mustang GT3: Racing at Le Mans from 2024
Ford has unveiled its latest addition to the Mustang lineup, and this one is built for speed. The new GT3 customer race car, revealed on Friday, is set to conquer race tracks around the world. Ford has confirmed that the Mustang GT3 will compete in both North America’s IMSA SportsCar Championship and the global FIA World Endurance Championship, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Derived from the track-focused Mustang Dark Horse, the Mustang GT3 is geared up for racing action starting in the 2024 season. Ford plans to field the car in the GT3 class of the SportsCar Championship, commencing next year. Additionally, customer team Proton Competition will enter the Mustang GT3 in the GTE class of the World Endurance Championship, also from next year. It’s worth noting that Ford previously secured a class victory at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans with a race car based on its GT supercar, competing in the same GTE class.
The competition for the Mustang GT3 will be fierce, with rival race cars hailing from renowned brands like Aston Martin, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. All of these vehicles are designed to compete in the same GT3 category.
Collaborating with motorsports partners Multimatic and M-Sport, Ford has meticulously developed the Mustang GT3. Multimatic, known for building the GT supercar and the recent Bronco DR racer, will also handle the production of the Mustang GT3. M-Sport, which has a strong association with Ford in rally competitions, will be responsible for crafting a bespoke 5.4-liter engine based on the regular 5.0-liter V-8 for the Mustang GT3. Interestingly, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley hinted in March that this unique engine might find its way into a road-ready Mustang GT3.
The Mustang GT3 race car boasts advanced features, including unequal length double wishbone suspension on both the front and rear, a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, lightweight carbon-fiber body panels, and an aerodynamic package meticulously designed to adhere to GT3 regulations.
The highly anticipated debut of the Mustang GT3 will take place at the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona, which serves as the opening round of the SportsCar Championship. Assisting in the test and development of the program is Joey Hand, one of the victorious drivers from Ford’s Le Mans campaign in 2016.
Notably, various versions of the latest Mustang are already competing across a wide range of racing series, such as NASCAR and Australia’s Supercars series. The Mustang’s influence in motorsports will expand further with the introduction of the Mustang GT4 race car. Additionally, Ford is rumored to be working on a Mustang Dark Horse R race car, potentially laying the groundwork for an exciting new one-make series.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mustang GT3
What championships will the Ford Mustang GT3 compete in?
The Ford Mustang GT3 will compete in both North America’s IMSA SportsCar Championship and the global FIA World Endurance Championship, including the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans.
When will the Mustang GT3 be ready for racing?
The Mustang GT3 will be ready to race from the 2024 season.
Who will be responsible for building the Mustang GT3?
The Mustang GT3 is being developed in collaboration with motorsports partners Multimatic and M-Sport. Multimatic, known for building the GT supercar, will handle the production of the Mustang GT3, while M-Sport, with its rally expertise, will be responsible for crafting the bespoke 5.4-liter engine.
What class will the Mustang GT3 compete in?
Ford will field the Mustang GT3 in the GT3 class of the SportsCar Championship, starting from next year. Additionally, customer team Proton Competition will enter the Mustang GT3 in the GTE class of the World Endurance Championship.
What are some competitors of the Mustang GT3?
The Mustang GT3 will face competition from race cars based on popular models like the Aston Martin Vantage, Chevrolet Corvette, Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, and Porsche 911.
What features does the Mustang GT3 race car have?
The Mustang GT3 race car features unequal length double wishbone suspension on both the front and rear, a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon-fiber body panels, and an aero package designed to meet GT3 regulations.
When and where will the Mustang GT3 make its debut?
The highly anticipated debut of the Mustang GT3 will take place at the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona, which serves as the opening round of the SportsCar Championship.
More about Mustang GT3
- IMSA SportsCar Championship
- FIA World Endurance Championship
- 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Multimatic
- M-Sport
- Ford GT
- Aston Martin Vantage
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Mercedes-AMG GT
- Porsche 911
- 24 Hours of Daytona
3 comments
Wow, the Mustang GT3 is gonna be a beast on the track! Can’t wait to see it tear it up at Le Mans and in the GT3 Championship. Ford sure knows how to bring the heat when it comes to motorsports!
Mustang GT3 gonna be racin’ all ’round the world! Gonna smoke those other cars like Aston Martin, Chevy Corvette, AMG GT, and Porsche 911. Ford nailed it with this one!
M-Sport teamin’ up with Ford again for the Mustang GT3 engine? That’s a winnin’ combo! Bet that bespoke 5.4-liter V-8 is gonna roar on the racetrack. Ford’s rally legacy sure gonna shine in this race car!