●       Ford Performance and long-time partner Multimatic Motorsports debut dynamic driver line-up in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship second season

●       Ford Performance celebrates rich heritage at America’s 24-hour classic

●       Ford Mustang GT4 looks to continue winning ways of first season during Roar Before The 24 and Rolex weekends, with LAP Motorsports joining the stable

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 17, 2025 – Ford Mustang has built its legacy in global sports car racing by pushing the limits at motorsport’s premier 24-hour marathons around the world. Now beginning its second season of global competition, Mustang GT3 is primed for its second appearance in the Rolex 24 At Daytona with both factory and customer teams, during the season opening round of the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, January 25 - 26.

“The 24 Hours at Daytona remains one of motorsport’s most rigorous endurance races. The race pushes the limits of every aspect of what we do,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance. “Mustang GT3 will rise to the challenge of the most competitive 24-hour events around the world: Le Mans, Spa and Nürburgring and this is where we start it all. The speed, high-level of attrition and competition in each helps us maximize performance that we pass directly to our street Mustangs for customers worldwide.”

Driven By Success

Ford Multimatic Motorsports, the Ford factory team operated by Multimatic Motorsports, will debut the driver line-up of Mike Rockenfeller (GER), Sebastian Priaulx (GBR), Christopher Mies (GER) and Frédéric Vervisch (BEL). The core roster will be complemented by factory driver Dennis Olsen (NOR) and NASCAR Cup driver Austin Cindric (USA), who will substitute for Ben Barker (GBR) in the opening endurance round of the GTD Pro class season championship.

Newly added customer team Gradient Racing will field an additional Mustang GT3 in the series’ Pro-Am style GTD class, giving Ford representation in both the series’ GT racing categories. The line-up will feature the driving talents of Joey Hand and Harry Tincknell, whose experience in developing Mustang GT3 will assist the team through its debut season.

Learn more about the Ford Mustang GT3 here.

Rooted In History

Ford Performance will celebrate some of Mustang’s major moments at this year’s event, showcasing the 1985 and 1986 race winners throughout the weekend at its midway display. 1985 Daytona winner and IMSA GTO Drivers Champion John Jones will be in attendance to revisit Mustang history and see firsthand the GT3 set to battle in the GTD classes.

The 1985 Roush/Protofab V-8 Mustang, driven by Doc Bundy, Wally Dallenbach Jr. and Jones, garnered a GTO class victory by a 38-lap margin and can be seen throughout the weekend at the infield Ford Performance display. The performance sparked a decade-long streak of seven class wins, which includes the 1985-87 and 1991-93 race seasons.

Ford has earned 20 victories in America’s most famous 24-hour race since its first victory in 1966. The winning lineup over the decades included models such as the MK II, MK 3, GT40, GT and EcoBoost DP.  Highlighting its rich racing heritage, of those career wins, half are class titles with Mustang.

Ford Mustang Sports Car Racing History at Daytona International Speedway

The Roar of Mustang

The Roar Before The 24, scheduled one week ahead of the 62nd running of the Rolex 24, sets the stage for one of racing’s most prestigious endurance races worldwide. It also offers GT4-spec racers a springboard for the Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) and VP Racing SportsCar Challenge (VPRC) seasons.

KohR Motorsports rose to the occasion in the global debut of the all-new Mustang GT4 at Daytona last season. Luca Mars, who piloted the No. 59 KohR Motorsports Mustang GT4 in VPRC, climbed to the top of the GSX class in both Daytona rounds – claiming the first global victory for Mustang GT4. Mars capitalized on the momentum of the wins to secure the season-long championship. Ford also captured the Manufacturer’s title for the class.

Customer teams returning to the IMSA GT4 paddock include Cameron Racing, USA, McCumbee McAleer Racing and KohR Motorsports. LAP Motorsports will join the Mustang GT4 full-season roster for 2025, having spent last year fielding Mustang Dark Horse R in the IMSA-sanctioned single make Mustang Challenge series. Three of the five teams have drivers that previously competed in Mustang Challenge, underscoring the importance of the ladder system established through Mustang in IMSA-sanctioned racing.

Learn more about the Ford Mustang GT4 here.

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.  The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty.  Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services.  The company does that through three customer-centered business segments:  Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs.  Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  Ford employs about 175,000 people worldwide.  More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Performance Motorsports

Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with Red Bull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford's racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing's activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok and YouTube.