Ford’s Presence in Motorsports Today: NASCAR, Rally, and Beyond
Ford has been at the forefront of the automotive industry for more than a century, and its impact goes well beyond just automobiles. With its innovative technology, unparalleled performance, and rich racing history, Ford remains a dominant force in the motorsports industry. Ford is now more prominent than ever in motorsports, from the oval courses of NASCAR to the difficult terrains of rally racing and international endurance events.
Ford in NASCAR: Tradition Meets Technology
In NASCAR, one of the most well-known racing series in America, Ford has long been a mainstay. Iconic teams like Team Penske, RFK Racing, and Stewart-Haas Racing, which compete under the Ford Performance name, have elevated Ford automobiles-particularly the Ford Mustang-to the forefront of the Cup Series.
Ford drivers have been at the top of the rankings for a number of years. Ford continues to be a strong contender in the NASCAR world, winning many races every season and taking home a manufacturer's title. On the track, the brand's investments in engine technology and aerodynamic development continue to pay off.
Conquering the Dirt: Ford in Rally Racing
With the iconic Ford Fiesta and the current Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid, which participates in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Ford has a long history in rally racing.
Ford and M-Sport continue to lead the rally world in innovation, delivering exceptional performance while embracing sustainable practices and hybrid technology. The hybrid drivetrain of the Puma Rally1 demonstrates how future consumer automobiles can be tested in motorsports.
Recent WRC results show that Ford can adapt to and perform well in some of the world's most challenging racing environments, from gravel-filled forest roads to icy mountain slopes.
Expanding the Horizon: Global Endurance and Off-Road Racing
Beyond NASCAR and rally, Ford is making waves in global endurance and off-road racing.
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Le Mans & Endurance Racing: With the legendary Ford GT, the Blue Oval returned to Le Mans in recent years and achieved a historic class win in 2016-50 years after its legendary 1-2-3 finish in 1966. Ford plans to continue this legacy with the development of the Mustang GT3, which is expected to compete in future FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) events.
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Off-Road Dominance: Ford's Bronco and Ranger Raptor have brought attention to Baja racing and other off-road challenges. The Bronco DR, a race-prepped version of the popular SUV, is designed specifically for desert racing, while Ford also supports grassroots off-road competitions across North America.
The Role of Ford Performance
Ford Performance, the company's high-performance branch, is the driving force behind all of Ford's accomplishments in motorsport. Ford Performance facilitates the transmission of motorsport ideas to consumer cars and trucks by acting as a link between racing and road-going automobiles.
Data gathered on the track has a direct impact on the creation of high-performance road cars like the Focus ST, F-150 Raptor, and Mustang Dark Horse, from chassis design to engine tuning.