MOTORSPORT: New Ford Mustang GT4 set for Aussie debut
Ford’s new-generation Mustang race car ready for first outing this weekend at Phillip IslandFord’s latest purpose-built track weapon is set to debut this weekend at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, with a Mustang set to take on the new Monochrome GT4 Australia Series.
Bred directly from production car roots, the GT4 category has taken the motorsport world by storm, with the relatively affordable cars producing top-notch racing across Europe and North America.
The field for Phillip Island is expected to feature a mixed bag of manufacturers, including examples from Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, BMW, McLaren and the Toyota Supra, with Aston Martin and Audi also producing cars to the ruleset.
Behind the wheel of the Miedecke Motorsport-prepared entry will be a pair of second-generation racers: George Miedecke and Rylan Gray.
Gray, who recently made his Super2 series debut aboard a Mustang for Tickford Racing, will be able to lean on the experience of Miedecke, who at Easter claimed victory in the Bathurst 6 Hour, following a distinguished career both here and abroad.
“I haven’t stopped grinning since we confirmed this program,” said Miedecke.
“I love racing V8s, and as dealer principal of our successful Ford dealership, this makes so much sense.
“Coming off winning the Bathurst 6 Hour, I feel like I am driving as well as I have in a long time, and to be paired with Rylan is exciting.
“I’m also proud to be renewing my partnership with Lubrimaxx, a brand that first supported me 17 years ago.”
Confirmation of the debut has taken on special significance for Ford, with the company claiming naming rights for the Shannons SpeedSeries event, which will be known as the Ford Mustang 60 Years Race Phillip Island.
“The Mustang holds a special place in the hearts of racing enthusiasts worldwide, and seeing the GT4 version on Australian tracks is truly a momentous occasion,” said Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook.
“We are proud to be part of the global expansion of Mustang in motorsport.”
The GT4s will be a highlight on the stacked program, which also features Supercheap Auto TCR Australia, Trico Trans Am, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia, the First Focus Radical Cup and the Fanatec GT World Challenge for GT3-spec machines.
This season has seen the international launch of the new-generation Mustang in GT3 competition, with the model currently being campaigned in the World Endurance Championship and in IMSA in North America.
In June, the program will see the Mustang return to the Le Mans 24 Hour grid for the first time in 27 years, while Ford has intimated that the model will be available for regional deployment, although confirmation of a 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour, or indeed a local GT3 program, has yet to be confirmed.
Image Credit: Scott Yorston, SSMedia
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