Click for more.
Ford Racing’s (NYSE: F) WEC Hypercar program moved from dynamometer cells in Dearborn to race cars in France last week. Competing in the Hypercar class, the Ford-powered, Ford-built and Ford-raced prototype will make its Le Mans debut in the event’s 95th running in June 2027.*
“The engine’s development phase is already showing great promise on the dynos in Dearborn, where we’ve been pushing the limits of its performance and durability – and learning a lot at the same time. That dyno work, combined with parallel progress on the chassis side with ORECA, has now converged into a complete package ready for its next phase,” said Dan Sayers, WEC Hypercar Program Manager at Ford Racing.**
Ford Racing’s track testing schedule is set to begin next month in August at various circuits throughout Europe. “Testing will focus on performance, reliability, hybrid system integration, and aerodynamic validation in conditions aimed at simulating the demands of competing in the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford said in a release. [Ford Racing WEC factory drivers are: Matt Campbell, Le Mans class winner, Nick Yelloly and IMSA champion Tom Blomqvist, Logan Sargeant, Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx – AutoCrat.]
Hypercar not Hype
“Of course, it’s early days, and we have a huge amount of work ahead of us. The sim work and dyno numbers give us a great foundation, but there’s no substitute for what the drivers feel through the wheel and the seat once we’re actually out on track. That feedback loop is what will truly sharpen this car over the upcoming months,” said Sayers. A tip of the AutoCrat’s racing helmet to Sayers who clearly knows that the B.S. stops when the Green Flag drops and it’s better to omit it entirely before or after.
*AutoInformed on
**Race Car Manufacturer ORECA
Ford is working with French race car manufacturer ORECA as the chassis supplier of its WEC Hypercar effort. Class rules mandate that one of four manufacturers supply the chassis on which Ford can build its contender for Le Mans.
Founded in 1973 by Hugues de Chaunac, ORECA Motorsport designs, assembles, develops and fine-tunes chassis, engines and system architectures. With ~240 victories in LMP2 and 10 consecutive wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours, and its presence in Hypercar through three major manufacturers, ORECA is an established global motorsport supplier (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS). It claims it is capable of providing all services with the global and customized customer support necessary to each client from its headquarters located in Signes, Magny-Cours and Indianapolis.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
WEC – Ford Hypercar V8 moves from Dyno to Race Car
Click for more.
Ford Racing’s (NYSE: F) WEC Hypercar program moved from dynamometer cells in Dearborn to race cars in France last week. Competing in the Hypercar class, the Ford-powered, Ford-built and Ford-raced prototype will make its Le Mans debut in the event’s 95th running in June 2027.*
“The engine’s development phase is already showing great promise on the dynos in Dearborn, where we’ve been pushing the limits of its performance and durability – and learning a lot at the same time. That dyno work, combined with parallel progress on the chassis side with ORECA, has now converged into a complete package ready for its next phase,” said Dan Sayers, WEC Hypercar Program Manager at Ford Racing.**
Ford Racing’s track testing schedule is set to begin next month in August at various circuits throughout Europe. “Testing will focus on performance, reliability, hybrid system integration, and aerodynamic validation in conditions aimed at simulating the demands of competing in the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford said in a release. [Ford Racing WEC factory drivers are: Matt Campbell, Le Mans class winner, Nick Yelloly and IMSA champion Tom Blomqvist, Logan Sargeant, Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx – AutoCrat.]
Hypercar not Hype
“Of course, it’s early days, and we have a huge amount of work ahead of us. The sim work and dyno numbers give us a great foundation, but there’s no substitute for what the drivers feel through the wheel and the seat once we’re actually out on track. That feedback loop is what will truly sharpen this car over the upcoming months,” said Sayers. A tip of the AutoCrat’s racing helmet to Sayers who clearly knows that the B.S. stops when the Green Flag drops and it’s better to omit it entirely before or after.
*AutoInformed on
**Race Car Manufacturer ORECA
Ford is working with French race car manufacturer ORECA as the chassis supplier of its WEC Hypercar effort. Class rules mandate that one of four manufacturers supply the chassis on which Ford can build its contender for Le Mans.
Founded in 1973 by Hugues de Chaunac, ORECA Motorsport designs, assembles, develops and fine-tunes chassis, engines and system architectures. With ~240 victories in LMP2 and 10 consecutive wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours, and its presence in Hypercar through three major manufacturers, ORECA is an established global motorsport supplier (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS). It claims it is capable of providing all services with the global and customized customer support necessary to each client from its headquarters located in Signes, Magny-Cours and Indianapolis.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.