Channel History
The Ford GT is on the pole, so don’t miss its historic return to Le Mans
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
After a strong showing in qualifying, the Ford GT will start on the pole in Saturday’s 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driver Dirk Müller put the number 68 racer in that spot thanks a 3 minute-, 51.185-second lap on Wednesday night. The rest of the GT teams will start in the second, fourth and fifth positions.
“Every member of this team has worked tirelessly to get the Ford GT to this stage in its development,” said Raj Nair, executive vice president, Global Product Development and chief technical officer. “We know the greatest task is still ahead of us and speed isn’t the only thing you need at Le Mans. As one team with one goal, we will race with commitment and passion and we will race for every member of the extended Ford family across the globe.”
The stage is set for a an exciting race this weekend as Ford Performance looks to repeat history with the all-new, EcoBoost-powered Ford GT. And, thanks to the power of technology, you can follow along with the race from the Ford perspective from inside the cars and the garage right here…
[video=youtube;lyDvj7Ia_EE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyDvj7Ia_EE[/video]
You can also stream the whole race on Radio Le Mans and Fox Sports GO.
If streaming isn’t your think you can watch the television broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2. The schedule is as follows:
June 18
- FS1: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- FS2: 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- FS2: 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- FS2: 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- FS2: 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
- FS1: 2:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
All the development and testing put into the latest supercar led up to this moment and even if you can’t be in France you can still see history unfold again. Leading up to the race, the dominating Ford GTs were hit with a 22-pound weight penalty and a reduction in boost, which should make the racing tighter and more dramatic.
If you weren’t pumped up enough about the race, here’s a little tease...
[video=youtube;io81PzoSc2E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io81PzoSc2E[/video]
“Fifty years ago, one of the most legendary moments in motorsports history took place as the duel between Ford and Ferrari took place on the track at Le Mans 1966,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “Once again, all eyes will be focused on this legendary race as Ford returns to take on the best in endurance racing.”
Driver Dirk Müller put the number 68 Ford GT on the pole in the LM GTE Pro class for this weekend’s race. The other three Ford GT racers landed in the second, fourth and fifth starting positions.
There are plenty of ways to keep tabs on the racing action and Ford Performance put together this handy infographic so you can easily find the coverage you want online, on television and on social media.
