The Marc VDS Racing Team’s Ford Mustang GT3 will return to the track in 2011 to contest the Blancpain Endurance Series. The showcase event of the new SRO promoted series for GT3 and GT4 cars will be the 24 Hours of Spa, with a further four three-hour races at Monza, Navarra, Magny-Cours and Silverstone.
“The interest generated by the announcement of the Blancpain Endurance Series shows quite clearly that a return to GT racing’s endurance roots has been long overdue,” declared Jean-Michel Delporte, General Manager of the Marc VDS Racing Team. “Already we’re hearing reports that the series will be oversubscribed when entries open, which means we’re going to be seeing upwards of 40 cars battling for supremacy on track, with many of the prestigious automotive brands represented. The racing promises to be fast and furious, making it a great series for spectators and, I hope, guaranteeing large crowds at every round.”
Spearheading the assault on the Blancpain GT3 Pro Cup for professional drivers will be Bas Leinders, Maxime Martin and Markus Palttala. The Marc VDS Racing Team regulars have a wealth of experience across a wide variety of classes, including the hotly contested GT1 World Championship.
The Marc VDS Racing Team will also run a fully supported Ford Mustang GT3 with the aim of winning the GT3 Pro-Am Cup, which is open to mixed teams of professional and amateur drivers. Discussions are ongoing with several drivers, with the final line up to be finalised shortly.
“With Leinders, Martin and Palttala we will have one of the strongest driver line ups in the series and this, combined with the Ford Mustang GT3, means I’m confident that we have what it takes to be one of the main contenders for this year’s GT3 Pro Cup title,” said Delporte. “With the Pro-Am car we’ll also be looking for class wins during the season. We are currently negotiating with a number of talented amateur drivers that would fit in with our aim of fielding the strongest possible team allowed under the regulations.”
The Ford Mustang GT3 was developed specifically for endurance racing by the Marc VDS Racing Team, in partnership with Canadian engineering company Multimatic. The car underwent an extensive development program in 2010, including race tests at selected European and French GT3 Championship rounds, with further development taking place ahead of the 2011 season.
“The Ford Mustang GT3 has been developed from the ground up for endurance racing, specifically the 24 Hours of Spa, which forms the centrepiece of the new Blancpain Endurance Series,” explained Delporte. “A further development program over the winter has focussed on reducing weight, improving tyre longevity and reducing fuel consumption, both through better management and improved aerodynamic performance. As a result, we expect to field a very competitive package this year.”
The revised Ford Mustang GT3 will make its European track debut during a two-day test at the Monza circuit in Italy, which is scheduled for 23rd and 24th February.
Source : Marc VDS Racing Team