Ford GT race car to make Aussie debut at Bathurst 1000

The Le Mans-winning Ford GT is set to make its debut down under, running exhibition laps at Mt Panorama during the Bathurst 1000 with Aussie racer Ryan Briscoe at the wheel.

Sydney-born Briscoe, who’s raced in Supercars briefly and overseas in IndyCar and now in the IMSA GTLM class, says he’s excited to show off the race version of Ford’s supercar in his home state.

“The Ford GT is an ultra-high-performance car, so I’m really excited and honoured to turn the Ford GT’s first laps at Bathurst” says Briscoe.

“For me, Bathurst is one of the best, if not the best racing circuit in the world.”

Specifically, the car hitting the track will be Briscoe’s Ford GT IMSA GT #67, which he’s driven to several podiums.

On top of this, Briscoe also races a WEC-spec Ford GT in endurance races through the year, notably being partly responsible for Ford’s GTLM class victory in the most recent 24 Hours of Daytona.

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It seems Ford’s primary reason for bringing the GT to Bathurst is to strengthen the link between Australia (and Supercars) before the introduction of the Ford Mustang to the Supercars grid, expected to take place next year.

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer says the draw of Bathurst was too strong for Ford Performance to resist, as it provided the perfect platform to show off the car.

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“To have such an iconic vehicle in the Ford GT here – a car with strong success in some of the world’s greatest races – is something Australian fans will love, and it shows how highly regarded Bathurst is globally, and by Ford and Ford Performance.

“To have Ryan, an Aussie who has driven with us many times at Bathurst, Sandown and on the Gold Coast, is the icing on the cake.”