Ford Plans GT3 Factory Effort for Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2024

Photo credit: Ford Performance
Photo credit: Ford Performance

The band fell apart with the demise of the Ford GT race car, but now, that particular band—Multimatic and Ford—are regrouping to build a Mustang GT3 car for 2024 to race in IMSA competition, as well as in the dozens of global series that race GT3-spec cars.

“We’re getting the band back together,” said Larry Holt, vice president of Multimatic, the race car builders.

Ford will be selling customer cars for 2024—as many as 40, Holt said—but the company will be fielding a two-car team in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, in the factory-supported GT Daytona Pro class.

The company will also have a new GT4 car for 2023 to replace the current Mustang GT4 that is racing today in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Series BMW Endurance race.

Photo credit: Jake Galstad
Photo credit: Jake Galstad

The GT3 will be a collaboration between Multimatic, Ford Racing and M-Sport, which will modify the current Coyote V-8 for the new Mustang. Drivers have yet to be announced, but Ford GT racer Joey Hand was on hand for the announcement, so he’s a good bet for the team. The new Mustang GT3 will feature short-long arm suspension front and rear, rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon fiber body panels, as well as a unique aero package developed to meet GT3 targets.

Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook did not rule out a late 2023 race test if the car is ready, perhaps at the Petit Le Mans race, but it’s more likely the GT3 will debut at the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona.