• Ford returns to factory-backed GT3 racing at the legendary Rolex 24 at Daytona with two all-new Mustang GT3 IMSA race cars created by Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsports in the GTD Pro class
•Proton Competition to also field a Mustang GT3 in the GTD class, giving Mustang three spots on the grid for the 62nd running of the iconic endurance race
•Mustang GT4 to run in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA VP Racing Sports Car Challenge, making Daytona the first official running of the all-new Mustang GT3 and GT4 in both specifications
Ford Mustang, the iconic sports car that created the pony car segment, is leading Ford's return to global sports car racing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona as Ford Performance kicks off its sports car 2024 racing season.
Mustang will compete in multiple races at the legendary endurance event, with Mustang GT3 race cars competing in the GTD Pro and GTD classes of the headline Rolex 24 at Daytona and Mustang GT4 competing in both the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA VP Racing Sports Car Challenge.
All of the cars have been developed as part of a joint program by Ford Performance and long-time racing collaborator Multimatic Motorsports.
'We are ready to unleash the Ford Mustang GT3 and GT4 cars during a very exciting time for the sport,' said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports. 'Daytona International Speedway has been the site for many remarkable moments through our history, and we can't wait to return to IMSA competition.'
In GTD Pro, Ford and Multimatic are fielding a two-car, factory-backed GT3 team. Drivers Chris Mies, Mike Rockenfeller and Harry Tincknell will campaign in the No. 64 Mustang while Le Mans winners Joey Hand and Dirk Müller are joined by Frédéric Vervisch racing in No. 65. The numbers for both factory-backed cars honor Ford Mustang's 60th anniversary.
'The first race for a new car is always the most challenging,' said Larry Holt, Multimatic Special Vehicle Operations Executive Vice President. 'Daytona is the culmination of two years of intense work by Multimatic, Ford and M-Sport, with no effort spared in creating a car capable of taking on the legendary twice around the clock contest. We are ready!'
Mustang GT3 customer Proton Competition is entering its GT3 in the GTD Class with drivers Dennis Olsen, Corey Lewis, Ryan Hardwick, and Giammarco Levorato piloting the No. 55 car.
At Daytona, two customer teams are set to launch the all-new Mustang GT4 in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series and the IMSA VP Racing Sports Car Challenge.
KohR Motorsports will see the return of Luca Mars and Bob Michaelian in the No. 59 Mustang GT4, with Mars simultaneously competing in VP Racing Sports Car Challenge. McCumbee McAleer Racing also celebrates the exciting next chapter of Mustang, welcoming back the No. 13 of Chad McCumbee and Jenson Altzman to Michelin Pilot Challenge.
The Rolex 24 at Daytona has been the scene of multiple racing successes for Ford Motor Company, from the first victory in 1966 to Ford's most recent win: a class victory for the Ford GTLM in 2017.
Racing gets underway at the 24 Hours at Daytona on Saturday, January 27.
Photo credit: Ford posted on conceptcarz.com
