FORD GT RACE CAR SETS ‘SILVERSTONE' LAP RECORD

April 13, 2016 by Ford

LONDON, UK, April 13, 2016 – We couldn't wait for the Ford GT race car to hit the track at Silverstone. So we designed our own 'Silverstone' circuit, taking in London landmarks, on one eye-catching but very slow lap.

The Ford GT race car followed a route that started and finished at London Underground station Southwark – loaded aboard a Clear Idea transport truck.

But instead of Becketts it was Old Spitalfields Market, instead of Hangar Straight it was Tower Bridge, and instead of Club it was Elephant and Castle.

At a shade over two hours we are declaring the 11.9-mile journey through congested central London traffic a new record – as the slowest 'Silverstone' lap ever. Luckily, tourists and office workers were quicker off the mark with smart phones and cameras to capture the historic event.

The FIA World Endurance Championship gets under way this weekend at 12:00 BST on Sunday, April 17 – with our two Ford Chip Ganassi Racing 'WEC' Ford GTs making their competitive debut.

Olivier Pla will race the #66 Ford GT with Stefan Mücke and Billy Johnson. Andy Priaulx will share the #67 Ford GT with Marino Franchitti and Harry Tincknell.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Mich. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company's core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company's plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.

Photo credit: Ford
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