HRT Ford Racing Unleashes the Mustang GT3 to Conquer the 24h Nürburgring.
The roar of the 5.4-liter Coyote V8 is set to echo through the Eifel mountains once again as HRT Ford Racing prepares for the 54th edition of the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. From May 14–17, the "Green Hell" will witness a multi-car factory HRT Ford Racing program that is led by three-time winners Frank Stippler and Christopher Mies alongside record-breaker Frédéric Vervisch.
The Nordschleife is a showcase of Ford’s "Race to Road" philosophy, proving that the engineering DNA forged there is the same in the Mustang Dark Horse.
FAST FACTS
- The Ford GT Mk IV conquered the “Green Hell” as the fastest American OEM and Internal Combustion Engine around the full 12.9-mile course with a lap time of 6:15.977. After becoming the first car from an American brand to break the seven-minute barrier on the Nordschleife, the new Ford Mustang GTD Competition captured its own record with a 6:40.835 lap time. Ford now owns the two fastest Nürburgring lap times of any American brand.
- HRT Ford Racing secured a definitive victory in the SP9 Pro-Am category last season, marking a triumphant start for the Mustang’s global GT3 endurance racing campaign.
- Between 1979 and 1987, Ford secured five overall victories – back-to-back wins for the Ford Escort (1979–1980), followed by a two-year reign for the Ford Capri (1981–1982). Ford’s overall winning streak culminated in 1987 when the Sierra RS Cosworth, driven by Klaus Ludwig, Klaus Niedzwiedz, and Steve Soper, conquered the “Green Hell.”
DRIVER QUOTES
FABIO SCHERER, No. 64 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “I’m really looking forward to the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring - it’ll be my first time. It’s especially cool to be starting in a strong car, the Ford Mustang GT3, and with a strong HRT Ford Racing lineup. Driving at night at the Nürburgring will be a new challenge for me, but I bring experience from other 24-hour races - let’s see how it goes on the Nordschleife. I think we have a good chance of competing at the front.”
DAVID SCHUMACHER, No. 64 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “Racing at the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring is always something special. The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the most challenging track in the world, and in a 24-hour race, anything can happen. Returning this year to Ford Racing, Multimatic and the Mustang GT3, run by Haupt Racing Team, makes the opportunity even more exciting. After finishing fourth-place overall and taking the class win last year, the target is clear – we want to build on that and fight for an even stronger result. We’ve prepared well as a team, and I’m really looking forward to getting back into the car and pushing for the best possible outcome.“
FRANK STIPPLER, No. 64 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “I expect some additional spectators for this year's 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, and there might even be a new spectator record which is highly motivating. I'll keep fingers crossed for them that we have a sunny weekend. Ford Racing and HRT prepared the Ford Mustang GT3 in a best possible way, and I'm hopeful that we'll have a chance to fight for the podium.”
COLIN CARESANI, No. 65 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “After a year's absence from the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, I'm incredibly excited to be back at this magical race. Joining forces with HRT Ford Racing for the first time makes it even more special. The program has been very successful at the Nordschleife so far, and with our shared commitment, I hope to continue that form onto the big one.”
HUBERT HAUPT, No. 65 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “I’m looking forward to competing again in this year’s ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring race in the Ford Mustang GT3. Together with Yokohama, we’ve prepared very well and hope that we now have a strong overall package for the race, which is sure to feature an extremely competitive field.”
CHRISTOPHER MIES, No. 67 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is always a real highlight of my racing calendar—not least because I’ve already won this classic event three times. This year, I’ll be driving the HRT Ford Mustang GT3 for the first time, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I think we have a strong lineup and are very well prepared. We’ll definitely give it our all to achieve a top result and to deliver an exciting race and a great show for the fans.”
DENNIS OLSEN, No. 67 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “I’m really looking forward to the 24-hour race. It’ll be exciting to be in the same car with Chris and Fred again – a lineup featuring Daytona class winners. I'm excited to put the Ford Mustang GT3, with the Evo package, on the track. We experienced it a few times, especially in the Qualifiers, and it gave us a very positive feeling. We’re heading into the 24-hour race with a very competitive mindset and look forward to the challenge.”
