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Why the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans is such a big deal to Ford
Yahoo News ^ | 14 Jun, 2016

Posted on 06/17/2016 7:36:55 AM PDT by MtnClimber

At the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi, Porsche, and Toyota will battle for the win with their futuristic hybrid race cars, but another carmaker is getting all of the attention. Ford and its quartet of GTs won’t be in the running for an overall win, but the Blue Oval is nonetheless the biggest Le Mans story this year.

So what’s the big deal?

Basically, it’s a case of déjà vu. Fifty years ago, Ford won Le Mans with its GT40, the culmination of a fierce battle with Ferrari. Today’s GT supercar is inspired by the GT40, and Ford would very much like a win in the GTE Pro class for production cars in order to drive that point home. There’s no feud with Ferrari this time, but Ford’s reputation is definitely on the line.

An epic rivalry

The 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans went pretty well for Ford. Its cars finished 1-2-3, and Ferrari was never really in contention. But that victory came only after defeats in 1964 and 1965, showing the determination of Henry Ford II to beat Enzo Ferrari on the biggest motor sport stage in the world.

Grandson of company founder Henry Ford and referred to as “The Deuce,” Ford’s then boss had offered to buy Ferrari in 1963, but Enzo Ferrari went back on the deal. In his book on Ford/Ferrari rivalry, Go Like Hell, author A.J. Baime argues that Enzo spurned Ford because of concerns he wouldn’t maintain full control of Ferrari’s racing operations. Whatever the reason, Henry Ford II was not happy.

“All right,” he said upon hearing the news that the deal was dead, “We’ll beat his ass. We’re going to race him.”

(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: autoracing
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To: Charles Martel

Very nice, I loved those Gulf colors.


21 posted on 06/17/2016 9:38:07 AM PDT by Huskrrrr
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To: MtnClimber

Finished 1, 2, 3. Says it all.


22 posted on 06/17/2016 9:39:50 AM PDT by Huskrrrr
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To: Huskrrrr

They were laps apart and laps ahead of the 4th place car so they formed up for a photo finish.


23 posted on 06/17/2016 9:44:24 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Huskrrrr

Bet you can find one on ebay.


24 posted on 06/18/2016 3:51:47 AM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: MtnClimber

enjoy...

http://www.vipbox.nu/motorsports/394149/1/le-mans-race-—le-mans-24-hours-race-live-stream-online.html


25 posted on 06/18/2016 7:28:42 AM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: al_c; arbitrary.squid; arderkrag; atc23; Bad~Rodeo; bajabaja; Betis70; biff; bobby.223; bobt7818; ..

for your viewing pleasure

http://www.vipbox.nu/motorsports/394149/1/le-mans-race-—le-mans-24-hours-race-live-stream-online.html


26 posted on 06/18/2016 7:43:59 AM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: Chode

Very cool. Thanks for the ping.


27 posted on 06/18/2016 7:45:20 AM PDT by SunTzuWu
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To: showme_the_Glory

I opted for the 5.0 V8 when I bought my truck.


28 posted on 06/18/2016 7:49:51 AM PDT by 38special (For real, y'all.)
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To: Chode

Thanks

Off to ER again in a few.

I’m getting tired of this being broken carp!!!


29 posted on 06/18/2016 12:44:33 PM PDT by mabarker1 (Progress- the opposite of congress)
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To: mabarker1
damn...
30 posted on 06/18/2016 12:48:15 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: Chode

Wow, the Ford GT number 68 wins GT Pro class with the US team. Prototype Toyota with a 1 minute lead over Porsche with 6 minutes to go and has engine problem. Porsche 918 wins overall.


31 posted on 06/19/2016 6:07:16 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Chode

wow- what an ending!


32 posted on 06/19/2016 6:11:34 AM PDT by God luvs America (63.5 million pay no income tax and vote for DemoKrats...)
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To: God luvs America
sure was!
33 posted on 06/19/2016 6:17:11 AM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: MtnClimber
six more minutes was six too much
34 posted on 06/19/2016 6:19:14 AM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: MtnClimber
Yes 1, 3, 4, & 9. I noticed the cars continued to lap after the race. Like a Twin Navaho or Cessna 421 all turbo'd aircraft you run a cool down cycle when your on the ground. That is my guess here. For a first time out, not bad.

Shame on Fox Sports 1 in America as they were supposed to cover it, instead they have had nothing but GOLF. Un-Freakin' believable...

35 posted on 06/19/2016 6:23:41 AM PDT by taildragger (Not my Monkey, not my Circus...)
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To: taildragger

The lap after the finish is a tradition at Le Mans. All of the track safety crews grab a flag and come to the edge of the track to wave flags to honor the drivers and the drivers wave back to thank them for their support in the race.


36 posted on 06/19/2016 6:41:22 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

Maybe it’s just me, but it seemed more than a lap, I kept waiting for them to pit and go to the podium and they kept going, and going...


37 posted on 06/19/2016 6:42:58 AM PDT by taildragger (Not my Monkey, not my Circus...)
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To: MtnClimber
Prototype Toyota with a 1 minute lead over Porsche with 6 minutes to go and has engine problem. Porsche 918 wins overall.

How about that - the #5 car is leading, then fails on the final lap, allowing Porsche the overall win. Just like in McQueen's movie.

38 posted on 06/19/2016 8:11:01 AM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: showme_the_Glory

For some reason they de-tune it in the Explorer and F-150. In something like a big truck you need all the horses you can get.


39 posted on 06/21/2016 2:39:32 PM PDT by ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton (Go Egypt on 0bama)
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