TINCKNELL RECORDS EXCELLENT SPA WEC PODIUM IN ONLY SECOND FORD GT OUTING

Harry Tincknell recorded an excellent second place in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps today (7 May). The 24-year-old Briton, along with co-drivers Marino Franchitti and Andy Priaulx, steered their Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT home to the runners-up position in the GTE class.

The Spa race marked the last before Tincknell and the Ford GT team head for the landmark FIA World Endurance Championship race of the year the Le Mans 24 Hours (18-19 June). The Belgian result provides an ideal platform for success in the annual twice-around-the-clock French race 50 years since Ford scored a remarkable 1-2-3 outright result in the Le Mans classic.

The Tincknell/Franchitti/Priaulx Ford GT started fifth in class on the 34-car grid the trio having placed fourth in the opening race last month (17 Apr) denoting Ford's WEC debut. Harry entered the race in fourth place shortly after mid-distance following stints behind the wheel by Franchitti and Priaulx, Marino having lost time after being spun by a GT Ferrari 40mins after the start.

Tincknell, having his first race in a GTE class car around the magnificent Belgian track having scored a win (2015) and second place (2014) previously there in a sports-prototype, went into third with an hour remaining when the sister Ford GT suffered a huge accident and then inherited second place in the closing minutes. An official test day on 5 June precedes the actual 24 Hours of Le Mans race weekend (18-19 Jun).

Harry says: "I'm so, so happy with a podium result in only my second race for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing. I drove my heart out in a double stint. I was quick and consistent like Marino [Franchitti] and Andrew [Priaulx] in their stints. Before the race, I hadn't had that much time in the Ford GT so it was great to push the car for 50-60 laps on raceday. The team performed great pit-stops when servicing the Ford GT. It was one big team effort. Third place was going to be a great result and then when the Ferrari stopped with a handful of laps to the finish, it was a fantastic bonus to grab second. We earned good championship points. I had a good battle with Stefan [Mücke] before his unfortunate accident. Thankfully he suffered no serious injuries in the sister Ford GT which suffered a big shunt. Their car is wrecked but with Stefan okay combined with our result, the spirits are high in the team. I'm highly delighted with this performance especially to be heading to Le Mans next month with this result."