The Ford Mustang GTD solely held the report for the quickest American automobile to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife for somewhat over 7 months. Ford introduced a 6:57.685 lap again in December, and bettered it with a 6:52.07 a couple of months later, however Chevrolet simply took the crown with the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X. Ford’s response? “Recreation on.”

That got here immediately from CEO Jim Farley, who replied “[c]ongrats to the Corvette workforce. Recreation on!” on an Instagram submit from the official Corvette web page. The Drive was the primary to deliver our consideration to Farley’s remark.

Ford might return to the ‘Ring with the Mustang GTD, however that automobile is at considerably of an obstacle to the ZR1 and ZR1X. The Mustang GTD weighs over 4,300 kilos based mostly on EPA paperwork that Highway & Observe reported on again in February, whereas Automobile and Driver measured the ZR1 at 3,831 kilos. Chevy hasn’t revealed a weight determine for the ZR1X, but it surely’s affordable to count on it to eclipse the 4,000-pound mark.

The Mustang GTD has 815 horsepower, which is rather a lot, however the ZR1 makes 1,064 hp, and the ZR1X ups it to 1,250 hp. Energy and weight figures aren’t the whole lot, however they do rely for a ton. Nonetheless, the GTD has a really superior suspension system, enormous Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, and an especially superior aero bundle that features a System 1-style drag-reduction system to stall the wing on straights. 

In any case, we do not know if Ford has something deliberate. Farley absolutely desires to take again the report—he is a racer himself and he is pushing efficiency arduous with the Mustang—however Ford is not going to go to the ‘Ring except it is aware of it not less than has an opportunity of beating the Corvette’s time. There could possibly be extra time within the GTD, however Ford might also want to attend till it has its subsequent, best factor to beat Chevy.