He’s a CEO who stands behind his company’s products, by standing on the gas pedal.
Ford CEO Jim Farley will compete in a Ford Mustang GT4 endurance racing car at the Roar Before the 24 event at Daytona International Speedway this weekend.
It’s a multi-day event that includes testing and qualifying for the 24 Hours of Daytona that’s scheduled for Jan. 28-29, plus two 45-minute races featuring GT4 class cars.
Farley, who is an avid historic racing driver with several podium finishes in his personally-owned GT40, including at last year’s Le Mans Classic, will be driving a Mustang prepared by Multimatic Motorsports in the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge.
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The VP Racing Sportscar Challenge is a new six-race series launching this year that features GT4 and LMP3 prototype race cars competing at the same time. It’s open to drivers who are rated bronze and silver on the FIA categorization, while pros in the top sports car categories are gold and platinum.
Unlike in the 24-hour event, which uses teams, Farley will drive the car solo against a range of models that include a Chevrolet Camaro and several BMW M4s.
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Ford is developing a new Mustang GT4 based on the redesigned 2024 Ford Mustang that will launch next season along with a higher performance GT3 class Mustang that will debut at the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona and enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year.
Despite the dangers his hobby poses, Farley says he has the green light to keep racing from Ford Chairman Bill Ford.
“He plays competitive ice hockey, and he said, ‘No, no, you need to keep racing, that’s your yoga, and it’s good for you to keep connected with the product like that,'” Farley said in an interview with Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty.