Ford Chip Ganassi Racing has finalised its driver roster for the 12 Hours of Sebring, with a trio of Ford GTs cleared to take part.
World Endurance Championship duo Stefan Mücke and Olivier Pla will be joined by Billy Johnson in an additional entry for the Daytona-winning squad.
The pair of full-season IMSA crews will remain unchanged for the Sebring enduro, which takes place on March 18.
Dirk Müller and Joey Hand team up with Sebastien Bourdais in the #66 Ford GT, while Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook regain the services of four-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon in the #67.
Ford had considered a fourth entry for the second WEC crew of Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell, but logistics issues meant the Europe-bound cars had to be omitted from the Sebring lineup.
“We wish we could send all four cars like we did at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, but the WEC cars will already be prepped for The Prologue test at Monza and the first race at Silverstone,” said Dave Pericak, Global Director of Ford Performance.
“Even though it’s impossible to bring all of our Ford GTs, we didn’t want to see this important opportunity to continue our cross-development pass us by.”
Ford heads into the 12 Hours of Sebring with its tail up following a close-fought victory in the GTLM category of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Müller, Hand and Bourdais won on that occasion, elevating the #66 car into an early championship lead.
Ford ran two of its cars at Sebring in February during the official IMSA test sessions. Briscoe lapped third-quickest in the #67 car, falling just 0.111 shy of the class-leading Corvette.
“This is another great opportunity for our WEC and IMSA teams to work together as the opportunity to data share is invaluable,” said team owner Chip Ganassi.
“There are not a lot of opportunities for us to get together so when we have the chance we will always try to take advantage of it."
"Plus, to be able to bring another car to a legendary endurance event like Sebring is something special to all of us.”
The 12 Hours of Sebring marks the second round of both the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and the North American Endurance Cup.
Ford Chip Ganassi Racing 12H Sebring entry
#66 Ford GT – Joey Hand/Dirk Müller/Sebstien Bourdais
#67 Ford GT – Ryan Briscoe/Richard Westbrook/Scott Dixon
#68 Ford GT (run by WEC team) – Stefan Mücke/Olivier Pla/Billy Johnson
