Marshall Pruett has been a busy boy of late, the latest scoop is that after fairly recently rejecting at least one serious proposal for a Ford Mustang GTE project to mark the car’s 50th anniverary, that the Blue Oval is now considering a return to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ford is one of THE iconic sportscar racing brands, courtesy of their four consecutive wins at Le Mans from 1966-1969 with the iconic GT40, the project spawned by Ferrari’s rejection of a purchase by Ford.
Now though it seems that a new international programme might be on the near horizon with a proposal to put factory backing behind a twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost-powerplant for LMP2. A decision could be imminent.
That’s an interesting choice of programme because whilst the P2 engine programme could not be with a factory team, and would not contend for an overall win at Le Mans, it would offer Ford the opportunity at limited cost to take on Honda and Nissan, firm marketplace competitors, in the highly competitive second-tier prototype division, with Nissan having shown what is achievable in marketing terms from just such a programme.
Ford currently supports Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, and Michael Shank Racing in the Tudor Championship’s Prototype class. The DP version of its P2 powerplant, built by Roush Yates Engines, earned the overall win with Ganassi’s #01 Riley-Ford at Sebring in March.
Asked by Marshall Pruett if a Le Mans LMP2 program was on the horizon, Ford Racing PR Director Kevin Kennedy said:
“I can’t confirm or deny any part of that.”
It’s unclear whether Ganassi, Shank, or both teams would spearhead a Le Mans effort on behalf of Ford but it’s believed a North American-based P2 chassis solution would be made.
Multimatic built Ford’s focus-themed DP in 2003 (above), making the Canadian firm an obvious candidate to supply Ford with the same model of P2 coupe currently used by Mazda in the Tudor Championship.
If it comes to fruition, and with the 83rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans less than a year away, a 2016 debut would fit a proper testing and development timeline – and a 50th anniversary marketing opportunity, but something closer to 2017 – the first year of a new, common P2-style chassis that will be used by the WEC and Tudor Championship – is also likely.
Campaigning P2 Fords in the Tudor Championship to gain chassis, aero and engine data would also be a logical choice prior to entering the 24 Hours Le Mans.
Marshall has also spotted that employment inquiries related to the Le Mans project have been made to personnel currently involved in road racing. A recent job posting from Ford seeking an aerodynamics supervisor for its stock car and sports car programs would also fill a valuable role if Ford Racing commits to an expanded prototype program.
