LMS: Matech to make Ford for new ACO GT rules

Matech Competition has confirmed that it will make a limited number of cars to meet the ACO’s new LMGT Endurance category regulations.

The Swiss Ford specialists will produce 10 Matech Ford LMGT race cars that will be available for delivery to customer by the end of 2010.

The ACO, organisers of the Le Mans 24 Hours, announced at this year’s event that the GT1 category would be scrapped for 2011 with a single GT category set to take its place.

“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,” said Matech Concepts President Martin Bartek.

“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.”

The new car will feature a 5.3 litre, normally aspirated Roush Yates engine and the team has set an estimated price of €500,000.

“It is fantastic news that Matech will be producing the Matech Ford Le Mans GT car,” said ACO sporting director Vincent Beaumesnil. “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!”


Andy Wilkinson

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