There’s little arguing that the inaugural season of the brand new Ford Mustang GT3 hasn’t, thus far, met expectations. Ford engaged longtime accomplice Multimatic to construct its first actual GT3 automobile, in addition to run the crew in GTD PRO. There have been flashes of pace and a few outcomes the place Ford Multimatic Motorsports overcame an absence of tempo to offer the automobile an honest consequence, however general there hasn’t been any actual brilliant spots.
However this weekend at VIRginia Worldwide Raceway, this system definitely appears prefer it has turned a nook. Not solely did the Mustangs have tempo, they executed and produced the outcomes. In qualifying for the Michelin GT Problem at VIR, spherical 9 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and likewise the lone GT-only race of the season, not solely did the 2 GTD PRO automobiles qualify third and fourth, however Giammarco Levorato captured the pole for GTD within the Proton Competitors Mustang GT3 he shares with Corey Lewis. Though that pole place didn’t produce a victory, the PRO automobiles completed second and fourth, with Harry Tincknell and Mike Rockenfeller scoring their first podium within the No. 64 Mustang.
“It’s one other development for the Mustang,” stated Tincknell. “It’s been tremendous sturdy. It earned the GTD pole yesterday with buyer crew Proton Competitors and the primary podium for us at this time in GTD PRO. I believe each race we’re studying. It’s a model new automobile this yr. We’re taking big leaps.
“I’ve simply progressively received higher, and this has been coming for some time. We led the race for an extended whereas at Watkins Glen [International], nevertheless it didn’t fairly work out. We have been second in Mosport [Canadian Tire Motorsport Park], however didn’t fairly get the rostrum there. The final time we have been at Highway America, we had some sturdy tempo as effectively. It’s an enormous credit score to the girls and boys who’re engaged on the automobile day-after-day. We’re nonetheless discovering a lot within the electronics and modes. We’re racing towards automobiles which have been on the market – some seven or eight years. After all, our studying curve is big, nevertheless it feels nice to be right here. It’ll be even higher after we’re one step larger. A second-place end is unbelievable, however having the No. 65 end fourth to again it up was even higher.”
“It began this morning when [Ford Multimatic Motorsports team principal] Larry [Holt] had a gathering with all us drivers,” defined Joey Hand, driver of the No. 65 with Dirk Mueller. “He stated, ‘Right now’s the day that we’re going to execute.’ That’s what we did. Within the background, we’ve been getting all the main points proper – like nice pit stops, which we had once more at this time. There may be going to come back a time when all of it comes collectively. This time, we examined right here and rolled off the trailer effectively. We saved bettering on the automobile and certified effectively. We are inclined to race higher each race, and that’s what we did.”
Rockenfeller certified the No. 64 fifth at Highway America, however contact on the primary lap and a subsequent penalty put paid to any probabilities of a great consequence. Sunday at VIR seemingly went an extended approach to erasing that reminiscence. Granted, Tincknell and Rockenfeller had some assist from a penalty for the No. 23 Coronary heart of Racing Aston Martin, however even with out that they have been headed for a podium end.
“Firstly, due to Multimatic Motorsports and Ford Efficiency,” stated Rockenfeller. “It’s my first podium with the crew. I’m actually completely satisfied. Because of Harry. He’s achieved an ideal job all yr lengthy. Clearly, [Road America] was on me and I assumed we had a very good likelihood there, however we moved on and it feels good. For the restart, I used to be checking extra within the mirror as a result of the Aston [Martin] boys have been actually quick. We may see that. My objective was actually to remain in second. If there would have been an opportunity [at the lead], I might have cherished to take the chance. It regarded just like the [Paul Miller Racing] BMW had it below management all race lengthy. We’re fairly completely satisfied to take this second place proper now. An enormous credit score to the crew, as a result of for us drivers, it’s irritating for us not to achieve success, however positively for Ford, the mechanics and the crew, I can solely think about what a aid it’s for everyone.”
Whether or not the Mustang GT3 was simply actually good at VIR, or if the enhancements are actual and substantial, will probably be revealed in three weeks. The crew is feeling assured that that is the beginning of extra good issues to come back because the collection heads to its closing two races, a six-hour race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Highway Atlanta.
“I believe we have been discussing earlier than that we thought Indy can be a great one,” Tincknell stated. “The truth that we’ve received assessments earlier than each, I believe that’s solely going to assist us. However I can say, I believe each race we’ve simply improved improved, improved a bit of bit, so we’d like to get that first win this yr and go into [the] offseason buoyant. I believe all of the girls and boys on the automobile actually deserve it for the quantity of hours they put in [on] weekends, and clearly the backing from Ford as effectively has been unbelievable. It’s a household firm, and it’s superb to have Invoice and Edsel [Ford] and Jim Fry, the CEO, actually supporting us and being behind us all the way in which, they usually’re encouraging us on a regular basis. That first win is simply across the nook, and it’s going to be particular for them too.”
