In 2016, Ford, with its redesigned GT supercar, returned to Le Mans to attempt a repeat of a storied feat 50 years prior. The company and team succeeded, winning its class in the prestigious endurance classic.
This is the story of the return. Historians, including Preston Lerner and Ford executives tell the story of the importance of Ford’s racing pedigree. Edsel Ford II, son of Henry ‘The Deuce’ Ford II, was at Le Mans with his father in 1966 to witness this major success. A stalwart supporter of Ford’s racing activities around the globe, Edsel II put seemingly the same kind of resources behind Chip Gannassi Racing as his father had put behind Shelby and Holman & Moody 50 years before.
The blockbuster film Ford v Ferrari, the A.J. Baime book, Go Like Hell; and the Adam Corolla documentary, The 24 Hour War have documented this amazing moment in American motoring history. If there was a document that could be called a sequel, well, this might be it.
The film talks about the history, and the modern prep, along with all the drama that can play out in a grueling 24 hour endurance race. The drivers are all modern legends themselves, including Richard Westbrook, Sebastien Bourdais, Joey Hand, Marino Franchitti, Dirk Mueller, Scott Dixon, Billy Johnson and Stefan Mucke.
Worth a look. Sometimes it’s a good thing when history repeats itself.
It’s been pulled from every platform I search. I would gladly pay to watch it again. Any word on what happened or why it’s no longer available?