Four Ford GTs To Race Together Again In Daytona

It would be easy to just talk about what we’ve already done with this Ford GT but really we’re focused on the future.—Dave Pericak, Ford Performance

For the first time since battling for a historic 24 Hours of Le Mans win, the two IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the two FIA World Endurance Championship Ford GT racers will join forces to race again. This time they will battle on US soil at the Rolex 24-hour race in Daytona Beach, Florida, next month.

“It would be easy to just talk about what we’ve already done with this Ford GT but really we’re focused on the future,” Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance, said. “We didn’t have the strongest race at the Rolex 24 last year but we have a season of learning experiences behind us with this program now and we’re proud that when we come back to Daytona in 2017, we’ll come with all four Ford GTs.”

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Schedule

• Jan. 6-8, 2017: Roar Before The Rolex 24, Daytona International Speedway

• Jan. 26-29, 2017: Rolex 24 at Daytona, Daytona International Speedway

• March 15-18, 2017: Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Sebring International Speedway

• April 7-8, 2017: Bubba Burger Sports Car Grand Prix, Long Beach, California

• May 4-6, 2017: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas

• June 2-3, 2017: Chevrolet Sports Car Classic, Detroit, Michigan

• June 29-July 2, 2017: Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, Watkins Glen, New York

• July 7-9, 2017: Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Clarington, Ontario

• July 21-22, 2017: Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut

• Aug. 3-6, 2017: Continental Tire Road Race Showcase, Elkhart Lake, Wis.

• Aug. 25-27, 2017: Michelin GT Challenge, Virginia International Raceway

• Sept. 22-24, 2017: Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix, Laguna Seca Raceway

• Oct. 4-7, 2017: Petit Le Mans, Road AtlantaLast season the Ford GT teams won six races and started from the front of the grid eight times. The first-year race car chalked up victories at Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen, Mosport, Le Mans, Fuji and Shanghai. Now the Chip Ganassi Racing-backed teams look to continue that momentum in the new year.

“Even with the success we had last season winning six races, I think we have some unfinished business in Daytona,” said Chip Ganassi, owner, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing. “The Rolex 24 last year was our first big test to see where we were with the program, and although we didn’t win, I can tell you that we learned a lot. We also learned a lot in Le Mans working with all four cars through the 24 hours. I’m excited we have another opportunity to assemble the full lineup for Daytona. The opportunity to compete with all four cars at the same time, in a race as prestigious as Daytona, is very special.”

The action will start at The Roar Before in Daytona from January 6-8, 2017 before heading into full race mode at The Rolex 24 from January 26-29, 2017.