GTD allocations should be this week

[Tomster]

They ran 6:57 on their FIRST attempt. There’s room for more.

A 14 second difference is a big ask.

Here is what happened IMHO. I called it over at the other forum. Actually I said in the 6:50's. The times weren't released when they were supposed to be. That was the first big clue that there was a problem. The weight was (and still is) held back. Ford had to produce something to put some positive spin on it (sub 7 min goal achieved). They had no choice.

I would imagine that they are going to take the rest of the winter and continue to get the car ready for prime time. If you aren't beating a GT3RS, many won't have anything to do with some of the crazy prices being offered for an S650 that barely broke the 7 min threshold.

Understand the conditions were not optimal. But it was too late in the season to have another go. I haven't committed to this thing yet, and I kept asking myself why would I pay a VERY LARGE chunk of change when the car to beat (and it wasnt) costs a lot less money?

The 7 min threshold was a goal, but if I recall correctly, beating the GT3RS was one too.

I will congratulate the FP and Multimatic team in getting an S650 chassis to cross the 7 min threshold, but there is more work to be done. I may defer my MY and let them sort it all out. I want the car because of the performance expectation, not because it is the next baddest Mustang.

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[Tomster]

I think they are trying to get ahead of this and it’s a smart move

They had to do something.

 

[Tomster]

Screw a bike, get a fighter jet.

They run out of gas in 20 mins (afterburner) just like the GT500 at Daytona.

But the acceleration on takeoff is insane.

 

[Tomster]

The key is - to keep the Vette from taking the title (American car title that is)…. Right now, the Mustang owns it (again, American car).

Don't hold your breath on that one. ZR1 and Zora leaves me with legitimate concern.

 

[Bikeman315]

Of course, what idiot would build a race car and expect people to not race it? Oh yeah, Ford.

Along with every other car manufacturer. Just because they build it and expect many to actually race them it’s just plain naive to think they are going to warranty them. Of course, there is a solution to this. How about no GT350’s, no GT500‘s, no GTD’s, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Bikeman315]

A 14 second difference is a big ask.

Here is what happened IMHO. I called it over at the other forum. Actually I said in the 6:50's. The times weren't released when they were supposed to be. That was the first big clue that there was a problem. The weight was (and still is) held back. Ford had to produce something to put some positive spin on it (sub 7 min goal achieved). They had no choice.

I would imagine that they are going to take the rest of the winter and continue to get the car ready for prime time. If you aren't beating a GT3RS, many won't have anything to do with some of the crazy prices being offered for an S650 that barely broke the 7 min threshold.

Understand the conditions were not optimal. But it was too late in the season to have another go. I haven't committed to this thing yet, and I kept asking myself why would I pay a VERY LARGE chunk of change when the car to beat (and it wasnt) costs a lot less money?

The 7 min threshold was a goal, but if I recall correctly, beating the GT3RS was one too.

I will congratulate the FP and Multimatic team in getting an S650 chassis to cross the 7 min threshold, but there is more work to be done. I may defer my MY and let them sort it all out. I want the car because of the performance expectation, not because it is the next baddest Mustang.

Hi Tom, a serious question. As someone who will never have the ability to buy a GTD would you really let one thing change your mind to buy one? I mean, doesn’t the old adage that there will always be something faster apply. If the GTD eventually does beat the GT3 what’s happens when the next big thing beats the GTD? Do you immediately sell it?

 

[oregongt350]

Oh 100%, don't get me wrong, I still want two (One for track, one for driving around). But it's a lost opportunity for Ford, when all the hype doesn't add up to expectations. And for a far less expensive car to run a faster time.

They look so good though.

GT3 less expensive, ? if you can find one. Don’t forget about ADM’s

 

[oregongt350]

Don't hold your breath on that one. ZR1 and Zora leaves me with legitimate concern.

1,000 hp Vette, mid engine, it better run 6:40, its not really a fair comparison to the Mustang GTD

 

[Tomster]

Hi Tom, a serious question. As someone who will never have the ability to buy a GTD would you really let one thing change your mind to buy one? I mean, doesn’t the old adage that there will always be something faster apply. If the GTD eventually does beat the GT3 what’s happens when the next big thing beats the GTD? Do you immediately sell it?

Don't think of it as just buying another Mustang. It isn't and although the 7 min goal was achieved, that goal was a placeholder "gimme" that was never expected to be a problem.

The problem the way I see it is that the car they benchmarked to beat is less money. I am not badmouthing FP or Multimatic. They did the best they could with the time they had. Jim Farley said this isn't finished. So I believe there will be further development. If they can squeeze 14 seconds more out of this car, that changes things.

I have not thrown in the towel, but instead want to wait and see. Again, the goal here is not to buy the latest and fastest Mustang, but instead realize the kind of performance that they were shooting for.

Let's all be honest, they just got under 7 mins by the skin of their teeth. To be fair, the track conditions weren't optimal. So, with that said, we are talking about a lot of money, and for that I expect that level of performance, especially when it's priced higher than the GT3RS. Larry Holt of Multimatic said in an interview that the 7 min threshold was not expected to be a problem. It turned out to be a bigger problem than anticipated.

Watch the interview.....

 

[Bikeman315]

GT3 less expensive, ? if you can find one. Don’t forget about ADM’s

Exactly! And forget about buying a new one unless you are one of the chosen.

So is a GT3RS worth $400k plus?

https://www.cars.com/shopping/resul...-gt3_rs&year_max=2024&year_min=2024&zip=29577

 

[WItoTX]

GT3 less expensive, ? if you can find one. Don’t forget about ADM’s

MSRP is the only way to compare apples to apples. ADM just measures demand. Not actual dollars needed for Ford/Porsche to recoup their costs into the car. I don't know, but I assume Ford and Porsche are turning a profit on each car they sell. I don't think they went all LFA on their pricing.

You can't beat economics, and as Ford has found out you can't beat physics either.

 

[MAGS1]

I think another point to make is Porsche has been testing at and benchmarking against the Ring for decades now and on a consistent basis, whereas Ford has not, and particularly with the Mustang platform. They basically had 2 years to dial in the GTD for one of the most grueling circuits in the world. I’m not surprised they didn’t beat the GT3RS on their first official lap time. In more optimal conditions and with an official time to learn from, I think shaving 10-15 seconds off their time is a good goal to have.

It’s pretty obvious Ford pushed hard to have the claim as first American manufacturer to go sub-7 at the Ring. I think that was probably the most important thing for them with the ZR1 announcement. You know GM is going to bring it out there, so Ford had to be first to break 7 minutes. That part of the mission has been accomplished, now they can dial in a few things and wait for better conditions. Just my $0.02

 

[lo-fi]

And keep in mind Ferrari and Lamborghini can't beat Porsche either and those do just fine (I understand there is some additional cachet within those brands). I don't think being number one matters at all. The GTD is going to sell out. It is going to be a collector car. There are plenty of wealthy people who are going to want to own this car and won't care even the least little bit that it can't beat a Porsche.

 

[Tomster]

Also keep in mind that Ford isn't finished here. They will continue to work on the issues and try again. Conditions (both car and weather) were not optimal. Again, by no means am I throwing in the towel.

 

[K4fxd]

6:49.3 vs 6:57.6

So the GTD is only 8.3 seconds slower than a rear engine lighter car on it's first official attempt at the ring.

I say good job Ford.

Now drop a few pounds and wait for better weather

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