Ford GT Sets Le Mans Pole Position, Gets Penalty for Being too Fast
This week has been memorable for the United States in non-mainstream sports. Not only did the U.S. national soccer team make it to quarter finals in the prestigious Copa America, but the heroic return of the Ford GT to Le Mans yielded them the pole position in qualifying.
The No.66 Ford GT Performance Chip Ganassi racing machine set the fastest qualifying lap time with Dirk Muller at the wheel. Muller is one of three drivers that will pilot the No.66 during the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans with hopes of reaching the top spot of the podium like they did 50 years ago.
One thing that that didn’t happen 50 years ago though, is getting penalized for being too fast. See, there is this thing called the Balance of Performance Adjustments (BOP), whose sole purpose is to balance competition and restrict performance advantages. The Ford GT had its turbo boost reduced, as well as 11 pounds of ballasts weight added. Other competitors like Ferrari were also ordered to add weight amongst other modifications.
Still, the No. 66 will be the first LMGTE car to see the famous first turn and hopefully avoid havoc. The other three Ford GTs will follow in second place, fifth and sixth.
Good luck!
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Photos via: [Jalopnik]
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