Why did Ford get into racing?

Ford got into racing to market reliability and performance, to push engineering forward, and to build a global brand through a dramatic, technology-driven showcase.

From its early days, Ford treated motorsport as a strategic platform rather than a sideline. Racing created headlines, tested components under extreme conditions, and offered a powerful way to connect with customers around the world. Over the decades, the company has used competition to accelerate innovations, explain why its cars could endure long-distance stress, and demonstrate a commitment to performance that extended beyond showroom floors.

Origins and motivations

Ford’s approach to racing has always blended three core aims: marketing impact, engineering progress, and competitive drive. Each has reinforced the others, shaping a program that evolved from curiosity and publicity into a disciplined, technology-forward effort.

Marketing and brand image

Racing provides a dramatic stage to communicate speed, durability, and engineering excellence. A strong presence on the track helps Ford appear as a performance-focused, technologically advanced company in a crowded global marketplace.

Engineering development

Competition pushes engineers to develop lighter materials, stronger engines, advanced aerodynamics, and better handling. The track serves as a live laboratory where ideas can be tested under extreme conditions before they reach everyday production cars.

Here are the core reasons Ford pursued racing.

• Marketing visibility and brand prestige on a global stage.


• Rapid engineering feedback that translates into safer, faster, more efficient production cars.


• Competitive pressure to keep pace with, and sometimes surpass, rivals.


• Customer engagement through racing partnerships, sponsorships, and events.


• National pride and corporate identity reinforced by success in major events.

These factors together formed the backbone of Ford’s long-running, multifaceted racing program.

Milestones that defined Ford's racing program

A timeline of pivotal moments illustrates how Ford transformed motorsport from a marketing gimmick into a core business strategy and engineering platform.

Before the list, it’s useful to note that Ford’s era-spanning efforts culminated in a famous push to conquer endurance racing, followed by diversified competition across several series worldwide.

1. Early efforts to use racing as a publicity and engineering accelerator, laying the groundwork for a factory-backed motorsport program.


2. The mid-1960s GT40 project aimed at defeating Ferrari at Le Mans, delivering enduring prestige and multiple endurance wins that cemented Ford’s identity as a performance marque.


3. Expansion in the late 20th and early 21st centuries into NASCAR, IMSA, and rallying to broaden Ford’s global racing footprint and to adapt technology across multiple disciplines.


4. The modern endurance era, including factory-backed programs in global championships with the Ford GT, reinforcing Ford’s commitment to top-tier road-and-race performance and signaling continued investment in motorsport as a brand and technology platform.

The impact of these milestones extends beyond trophies; they reinforced Ford’s reputation for reliability under duress, advanced engineering, and a forward-looking approach to performance that feeds into production vehicles and customer enthusiasm.

Impact on production cars and brand strategy

Racing has served as a proving ground for materials, braking systems, aerodynamics, and powertrain management that eventually influence consumer models. It also sustains excitement around high-performance variants and special editions—such as Shelby-edition Mustangs and performance-focused Ford GTs—that connect enthusiasts with the brand’s racing heritage.

Beyond technology, racing helps Ford tell a story of progress and endurance. The association with endurance events, road-racing platforms, and global sponsorship reinforces a perception of Ford as a brand that blends rugged practicality with high-performance capability.

Summary

Ford’s foray into racing began as a strategic blend of marketing, engineering experimentation, and competitive ambition. Over the decades, the company leveraged motorsport to validate technologies, build a performance image, and engage customers worldwide. Through landmark efforts like the GT40 era and ongoing endurance and touring programs, racing remains integral to Ford’s culture and product development—shaping innovation on the track and in the showroom alike.

Did Ford Performance change to Ford Racing?

Yes, Ford Performance is now Ford Racing, following a rebranding in September 2025 to emphasize the company's long history and racing heritage. The new division is designed to better align the company's racing and road vehicle programs, bringing technology from the track to production cars and vice versa.
 
This video explains the rebranding of Ford Performance to Ford Racing: 47sCar RadarYouTube · Oct 13, 2025

• Name change: The official name of Ford's performance and motorsports division has been changed from "Ford Performance" to "Ford Racing". 
• Focus on heritage: The rebrand brings back a name that highlights Ford's 125-year racing history, dating back to 1901. 
• Alignment of operations: The move consolidates road and race operations under one global leader to streamline innovation and bring technology from the track directly to customer vehicles. 
• Business strategy: Ford states this is more than just a name change, but a business transformation to create a single, profit-driving division that will introduce new products and share technological learnings. 

You can watch this video to learn more about the history of racing at Ford: 46sFord RacingYouTube · Sep 4, 2025

Did Ford actually try to buy Ferrari?

Yes, Ford Motor Company tried to buy Ferrari in 1963, but the deal failed when the founder, Enzo Ferrari, pulled out of the agreement at the last minute. The deal fell apart because of a clause that would have given Ford control over Ferrari's racing team, a non-negotiable point for Ferrari. An enraged Henry Ford II vowed to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, leading to the development of the Ford GT40 and a legendary rivalry.
 

• Initial negotiations: Ford, represented by executives like Lee Iacocca, entered into serious talks with Enzo Ferrari in 1963. Ford sought to acquire Ferrari to gain a foothold in the sports car market. 
• The deal breaker: The negotiations collapsed when Enzo Ferrari refused to give Ford the final say over the racing department's budget and decisions. 
• Ford's vow: After the deal's failure, Henry Ford II was determined to defeat Ferrari on the racetrack, famously declaring he would beat them at the Le Mans endurance race. 
• The result: This led to the creation of the Ford GT40, which was built specifically to compete with and beat Ferrari. After several years of development, Ford achieved its goal, famously winning the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans with a one-two-three finish. 

When did Ford get into racing?

Ford started racing on October 10, 1901, when Henry Ford drove his "Sweepstakes" car to victory against the established racer Alexander Winton. This win was crucial for securing the financial backing needed to launch the Ford Motor Company the following year. 

• The First Race: Henry Ford, using the "Sweepstakes" race car, competed against Alexander Winton in a 10-lap race at the Detroit Driving Club in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. 
• The Outcome: Ford won the race, which generated publicity and attracted investors. 
• The Impact: The victory was instrumental in helping Ford gain the necessary financial support to found the Ford Motor Company on June 16, 1903. 

Is Ford still involved in racing?

In 2026, Ford will be the only manufacturer to be competing in racing disciplines from grassroots motorsports to Formula 1 comprising WEC and IMSA including Le Mans 24 Hours with Mustang GT3, WRC with the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, Baja 1000 with Ranger Raptor and Bronco, and NASCAR, NHRA and Supercars with ...