The Ford Performance division of Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn has announced its two-car factory-backed IMSA GTD Pro works team will have drivers Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, Harry Tincknell, and Mike Rockenfeller at the controls of the new Mustang GT3 race cars.
Managed by long-time Ford partner Multimatic Motorsports, the team will strive to harness the power of the Mustang GT3 through its inaugural 10 rounds of racing action in the IMSA-sanctioned WeatherTech Sports Car Championship.
The season begins Jan. 19 with the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. The Rolex 24 at Daytona festivities begin Jan. 25 with the race being run Jan. 27-28. The team will race in the Detroit Grand Prix May 31-June 1.
“We’re thrilled to embark on this exciting endeavor and to put our 58 years of global Mustang racing heritage and performance to the test against some of the world’s greatest manufacturers,” says Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports.
“We want to welcome Joey and Dirk back to the Ford family after a great few years with the GT program. Combined with Harry’s four wins during the Ford GT program and Mike’s impressive racecraft and résumé, this puts us in a strong starting position in the Mustang GT3’s debut season.”
Ford is preparing to race Mustangs all over the world as it looks to usher in a new era of success on the track and in the paddock. From the Mustang Dark Horse road car, through Dark Horse S and R and the Mustang GT4, plus the Mustang GT3, Ford seeks to be in the winner’s circle.
Hand was behind the wheel of the Ford GT when the automaker won the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans. The California native participated in testing the Mustang GT3 through its development stages.
“I’m super excited to finally announce this program and get going with it,” Hand says. “It’s been a long time coming — been working on this thing for over a year. I’m super thankful and proud to be involved in the early stages of testing the car. We’ve had it on-track a lot. I tell you, the first time I drove it, I really liked it. It’s one of those cars, for me, it just fits my style. I knew it right away. I think there are going to be a lot of great years of racing this car.”
Hand’s partner is Germany native Müller. The two spent four seasons (2016-2019) piloting the No. 66 Ford GT in IMSA amassing five wins, 14 podiums, and seven pole positions. They also shared a 2017 Rolex 24 class victory at Daytona, one year after the program’s debut.
“I’m happy, honored, and grateful to be part of this fantastic Mustang GT3 program with Ford Performance and Multimatic,” Müller says. “We’ve been working on the new car for a while now and I can’t wait to get out there and start racing.”
The other Mustang GT3 will be piloted by Tickness and Rockenfeller. Englishman Tincknell drove the No, 67 Ford GT from 2016 to 2019. Germany’s Rockenfeller has won Le Mans twice, the 24 Hours of Spa, as well as the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
For more information on the Ford Mustang GT3, visit here.
