New Ford Mustang GT3 Hits the Track for Its First Official Shakedown
Ford is serious about motorsports when it comes to the new Mustang, and the new GT3 looks like an absolute weapon.
The new seventh-generation Ford Mustang isn't just built to rock the streets. It's heading to the racetrack, too. As a part of its push into global motorsports, the new Mustang GT3 has hit the track for its first shakedown runs. The resulting noise is music to a gearhead's ears.
The GT3 race car is based on the seventh-generation Mustang, and is under development by Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsports. As reported by Motorsport.com, the car was reportedly first given a minor shakedown at a test facility near Multimatic's base in North Carolina last week. From there, the car was shipped to Sebring International Raceway in Florida for on-track testing.
On-track footage of the new Mustang GT3 race car was shared online by Ford boss Jim Farley. The company head exhorted viewers to turn the volume up, and with good reason. The wail of the Mustang GT3's Coyote-based 5.4-liter V8 sings quite the song as it echoes off the barriers at Sebring. Clearly enthusiastic about the race car, Farley even raised the question on Twitter as to whether Ford should make a road-going version of the GT3 racer.
It's unclear who was behind the wheel for the shakedown runs at Sebring. Likely drivers include Joey Hand, employed as the Mustang GT3's official test driver, or Harry Ticknell, an ex-WEC driver contracted to Multimatic. According to Motorsport.com, the car wasn't alone during its shakedown at Sebring, either. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R was at the circuit ahead of its racing calendar next year, while the Toyota GR010 Hybrid Le Mans Hypercar was also in attendance.
Set for a competition debut in 2024, the Mustang GT3 already has a date with destiny. It's first outing will be at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2024. Beyond that, it's set to compete at Le Mans in 2024 as well, in addition to a range of other GT3-class events.
The Mustang GT3 is just one of six racing models Ford has in the works. The Mustang Dark Horse S will serve as a capable pre-prepped track day racer, while the Dark Horse R takes things further with extra seam welding, a larger fuel tank, and other high-end racing tweaks. From there, the Mustang GT4 will be built for international competitions like FIA GT, sitting just below the GT3 model. Beyond those, Ford will also field Mustang racers in the Australian Supercars and NHRA Factory X drag racing series.
The Mustang has always been best known as a street-prowling muscle car. However, with the seventh-generation, Ford is investing big to get the model out on the track, too. Here's looking forward to the Dark Horses from Dearborn tearing it up on track in the years to come.
Got a tip? Let the author know: lewin@thedrive.com
