Gradient Racing has acquired a Ford Mustang GT3 with the intent of campaigning one of many newest GT3 vehicles in GTD in 2025.
Presently fielding an Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 for Sheena Monk and Stevan McAleer, the group says the transition marks a big step ahead for the group as they increase their relationship with Ford Efficiency and solidifies the group’s long-term dedication to the IMSA GTD class.
“We’re extremely excited to affix the Ford Efficiency household with the brand new Mustang GT3 for the 2025 season and past,” mentioned Gradient Racing group proprietor Andris Laivins. “Our good mates at Multimatic have carried out an unbelievable job with this automotive. It represents the head of GT3 engineering, and we will’t wait to place some severe miles on it and be taught extra. The manufacturing unit group has carried out a large job growing the brand new platform, and as a buyer program we’ll profit quite a bit from their expertise.”
Gradient will turn out to be the second group to race the Mustang GT3 in GTD. Proton Competitors is working the automotive with Gianmarco Levorato and Corey Lewis dealing with the first driving duties this season.
“We’re happy to welcome Gradient Racing to the Ford Efficiency household, as they put together their newly acquired Ford Mustang GT3 for an upcoming IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program in 2025,” declared Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Efficiency Motorsport. “We’re excited to assist them on this new chapter of their IMSA program. It’s our continued mission to supply the beating coronary heart of Mustang to buyer groups worldwide – from Mustang Darkish Horse R and Mustang GT4, to our final expression of Mustang in our sports activities automotive racing line-up, Mustang GT3.”
Forward of the 2025 racing season, Gradient Racing will embark on a testing plan via the summer season and fall as they arrive to phrases with the brand new Mustang. “We now have quite a bit to be taught,” added Laivins. “As we dig into the technical aspect on the store, we’re partaking with drivers and companions who will likely be a superb match as this system takes form, and plan to supply testing alternatives very quickly.”
With the transition to Ford, Monk and McAleer – who captured their first podium collectively at Highway America this previous weekend – should not anticipated to proceed with Gradient, a longtime Acura group.
Laivins expressed his gratitude to Acura and Honda Racing Company for his or her six-year partnership: “With out HRC, Gradient would doubtless not be racing at this stage,” acknowledged Laivins. “I really feel plenty of pleasure for our time with the Acura model. We’re going to complete this season robust, and head into 2025 with fond reminiscences and hopefully one other trophy or two.”
Followers attending the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on Aug. 14-17 will get the primary glimpse of the brand new Gradient Racing Mustang GT3, as it is going to be on show alongside its roadgoing counterpart, the brand new Mustang GTD.
