Ford Media Center

Preparing for Le Mans: Ford Performance Racing Simulator

  • In May 2014, Ford Performance opened the doors to the Ford Technical Support Center in Concord, N.C. Built to support its racing program, the Technical Center immediately became a crucial piece of Ford’s global racing programs
  • The centerpiece of the building is a full-motion platform simulator that allows Ford Performance drivers and teams to optimize their setups for individual track configurations and for drivers to practice driving a track ahead of an upcoming race weekend
  • Video: https://youtu.be/ftes99dVEdY

Context/background:

The Ford Performance racing simulator was a crucial building block in the Ford GT drivers’ preparations for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Images:

Additional high-resolution images of Ford GT are available at www.media.ford.com.

Details:

  • Fifty years after Ford’s legendary 1-2-3 finish at the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours, Ford is returning to Le Mans
  • The four-car Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team will compete in the GTE Pro category against the likes of Aston Martin, Chevrolet and rivals Ferrari
  • In all, 12 drivers from around the world will race for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing in Ford GTs at the Le Mans 24 Hours
  • All-new Ford GT supercar is the culmination of years of Ford innovations in light-weighting, aerodynamics and efficient EcoBoost engines
  • Ford GT is powered by second-generation twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 engine

Quotes:

“First of all, I don’t even know how they do this. There are some really smart people involved in this program.”

“It’s all about immersion, immersing you in there. When you can see out of your peripheral, you still see the same things going by. It’s as real as you can get, sitting in a room like this. When you’re trying to put the lap down, you’re huffing and puffing. It’s amazing how sweaty you can get going nowhere.”

– Joey Hand
Driver, No. 66 Ford GT/No. 68 Ford GT at Le Mans

“You want the driver to believe they are driving the real car. We’re able to use the simulator to do driver training at some of the tracks we don’t get to very often, like Le Mans.”

– Mark Rushbrook
Ford Performance motorsports engineering manager
 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.  The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty.  Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services.  The company does that through three customer-centered business segments:  Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs.  Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  Ford employs about 174,000 people worldwide.  More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.