The Ford GT powered by the twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 race engine took a 1-2 podium finish. Andy Priaulx / Harry Tincknell drivers of the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing No. 67 took the checkered flag in the 6 Hours of Shanghai in back-to-back FIA World Endurance Championship races.
The No. 67 dominated the 3.387 mile Shanghai International Circuit in Jiading, Shanghai. On the fifth lap of the race, Priaulx recorded the fastest lap of the race (and new lap record) of 2:02.217 in the LMGTE Pro Class.
“We’ve had a good day today,” said Priaulx when interviewed after his last stint of the race. “A six hour race is very hard on the car, we’ve pushed 100%. The team was brilliant today on pit stops and it is down to Harry to bring the car home this weekend.”
The No. 67 was able to maintain good pace throughout the race while the crew executed their pit stops and driver changes flawlessly to stretch the lead as the No. 67 took the checkered flag.
After sustaining some rear end damage at the beginning of the race, teammates Olivier Pla / Stefan Mücke in the No. 66 were pushed back to P3, but were able to overtake the No. 51 Ferrari to retake second and eventually make it a 1-2 finish.
Priaulx / Tincknell started the weekend off by securing the LMGTE Pro class pole in the No. 67 and achieving Roush Yates Engines 250th overall motorsports pole with Ford Performance. The No. 66 sister car made it an all Ford GT front row on the grid Saturday.
Roush Yates Engines in partnership with Ford Performance designed, tested and redefined the twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 race engine. The Roush Yates Engines’ Calibration Engineers (Adam McMaster and Phil Vars) worked closely with the teams to manage the rapidly changing track conditions over the 575.79 mile (170 laps) endurance race.
“Congratulations Andy, Harry and Ford Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “To win our second race and pole in a row in the World Endurance Championship series is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire team. We have great momentum going into the final race of the season and will be pushing for the win.”
“Congratulations Andy, Harry and Ford Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “To win our second race and pole in a row in the World Endurance Championship series is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire team. We have great momentum going into the final race of the season and will be pushing for the win.”
The win in Shanghai moved both FCGR teams up the leader board. No. 67 moved into second (129 points) and the No. 66 third (121 points). With only two points separating the No. 67 and No. 95 Aston Martin (131 points), the LMGTE Pro championship will be decided at the 6 hours of Bahrain.
The teams are poised and will take the momentum from the last two wins into the last race of the FIA World Endurance Championship season in Bahrain.
Weekend Recap: 4 RACES – 1 WIN – 2 POLES
2016 FIA
World Endurance Championship
November 19: Bahrain International Circuit – Bahrain
13 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 282 WINS – 251 POLES!
Comments
