As early as 2009,
before the regulations of the new GT
Championship came into force, Matech Concepts
started developing a new Ford GT1 based on the
prototype fielded in the previous season. On the
way to the Portuguese circuit at Portimão,
Matech Competition stopped in Spain at the
Ascari circuit to perform the roll-out of the
new car. With Thomas Mutsch at the wheel, the
first metres of the Ford GT1 went according to
plan, just as the driver and Martin Bartek had
been hoping: “The car is completely new. Not a
single element, be it the engine, the
transmission system, the suspension or
aerodynamics are the same as those of the Ford
GT1 from 2009. The roll-out was very promising,
and we are confident with regard the forthcoming
season.” The next step will be the “balance of
performance” at Portimão on 3 and 4 February,
followed by further testing at the Alcañiz
circuit where a handful of previously selected
drivers will take the wheel of the Ford GT1.
This first stage will then be concluded by the
presentation of the vehicle to the press in
Paris on 1 March.
The driver pairings…
To determine the final line-up for the cockpits
of the two Ford GT1 cars, Matech Competition has
invited seven drivers to participate in a
comparative test in a “special” Ford GT3 on the
Portimão circuit. In addition to the five men –
Mathias Beche, Yann Zimmer, Borja Garcia, Casper
Elgaard and Carlo Van Dam – the group also
includes two ladies, Natacha Gachnang and Cyndie
Allemann. ‘’Our goal, clearly, is to form two
teams that are as strong as possible by giving
young drivers, including women, an opportunity
to compete. For these tests, they will be
driving one of our Ford GT3 cars on which we
have removed the ballast and the air-restrictor
so that it will handle in a similar way on the
track as the GT1,” explains Martin Bartek. After
this initial evaluation, there will be some
candidates for further tests, this time in the
Ford GT1 at the Motorland circuit near Alcañiz.
Jonathan Hirschi and Marc Hennerici will join
this test as well.
New Matech Ford GT1 car - photos and
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