24 Hours of Le Mans
Matech to produce Ford LMGT for Endurance Racing
© Planetlemans – Marcel ten Caat
Following the announcement by the ACO on the 10th June, 2010 that there will be no LMGT1 category at Le Mans in 2011, Matech Concepts confirms a new programme to continue the evolution of the Matech Ford GT.
A limited series of up to 10 Matech Ford LMGT race cars will be built to the new ACO LMGT Endurance Category regulations and eligible to compete in Le Mans Series, American Le Mans Series and Asia Le Mans Series in addition to the 24 hours of Le Mans from 2011.
Delivery to customers will be available by end of 2010.
Matech Concepts’ President, Martin Bartek said, “When I heard the news at Le Mans that this would be the last year of GT1 cars racing in the 24 hours, my heart sank for a moment as this was the first year when the Ford GTs returned to Le Mans. But straight away, my mind was made up…we would build the Matech Ford LMGT car, purpose built for endurance racing, and incorporating everything we have learnt through our successes in GT3 and GT1. After meetings with the ACO and our technical partners, the highly successful FIA GT1 specification Matech Ford GT1 will be adapted to the new regulations. Every component has been designed and tested for 24 hour racing and will be highly competitive against the established GT cars. I’m very excited that the Ford GT will continue to race at Le Mans where it truly belongs.”
On hearing the news about that Matech will produce an endurance version of the Ford GT, Vincent Beaumesnil, Sporting Director for the ACO said, “It is fantastic news that Matech will be producing the Matech Ford Le Mans GT car. With the GT1 category no longer in the Le Mans Series, it’s important that the GT Endurance category grows in both the number of entries, but more importantly the diversity of entries, so it’s great that Matech have decided to build a GT Endurance specification Ford GT. Many people I spoke with at Le Mans last month said how wonderful it was to see the Ford GTs running again on the most famous track, and I have to agree. It’s great news for the Le Mans Series and great news for the fans that the Ford GT will continue to race as an endurance car. Well done Matech!”
Details and specifications
Delivery: Starting December 2010
Aerodynamics: Single profile rear wing, closed flat bottom with front splitter and rear diffuser
Engine: Roush Yates 5.3L V8 normally aspirated, power output restricted to approx. 500bhp
Gear change: Paddle shift / Manual gear lever
Gear ratios: Free choice
ECU: Bosch with traction control
Fuel tank: 2011 ACO regulations
Brakes: Steel disc brakes
Wheels: 12 x 18 front, 13 x 18 rear
Tyres: Front: 30/65/R18, Rear 31/71/R18
Weight: 1200kg minimum weight
Cockpit: Air conditioning fitted
Estimated price: €500,000
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S´till a great car like in the begining, long life for the Ford GT.
Hasn’t an ALMS team (very) unsuccessfully been running a ford gt in GT2 for a few years now?
Yeah, but the team that runs that car, Robertson Racing, doesn’t have the resources that Matech has.
Matech won’t run them, just build and sell them…
I believe that the Roberston car would perform quite well in our european GT3 championships. In the ALMS,this car has had to live with the cream of the GT1 and GT2 crop,a lost battle from the start,in my opinion. Especially when one looks at the limited means of this team who’ve had to do most of the early development of the racing Ford GT.
That’s the thing GTFour, the Ford GT that Robertson Racing is running was originally built for GT3 racing, like the Viper that Primetime Race Group used to run, they modified it to meet GT2 specs. Which probably would explain why the car does so badly.
I dont think the fact that the Doran chassis was modded to GT2 hurts as much as not having “factory” backing. It takes alot longer to dial a car in without it. Matech “reportedly” has some backing from Ford Europe. I am hoping that this announcement will see more Ford GTs on grids around the world. How would Robinson Racing be doing with a fully prepped and backed Matech car?
on a side note, I would love to see a compare and contrast article on the differences between the Doran chassis and the Matech one.