Racing technology eventually finds its way into your car, but it rarely goes the other way around. Ford is standing that axiom on its head by not only equipping its new prototype racer with the heart of a production car, but setting a new speed record at the famous Daytona International Speedway with the same engine you get in a pickup truck.
Ford donated its EcoBoost (read: twin-turbocharged) 3.5-liter V6 to the Riley Technologies Daytona Prototype, and after considerable tuning and tweaking, the race car took to the track at Daytona to set a new record of 222.971 mph in a single lap around the track. That was enough to topple the 26-year-old record set by Bill Elliott in a Ford Thunderbird at 210.364 mph.
Even better, Colin Braun, the driver of the EcoBoost-powered prototype, wasn’t even born when the original record was set.
“Our first run this morning was 209 mph, and it was an edgy drive at that speed,” says Colin. “I can only imagine how edgy it was for Bill Elliott doing those speeds in his Thunderbird stock car.”
The car was prepared by Ford Racing’s partners at Roush Yates — legendary builders in their own right — but aside from a special set of tires developed by Continental with lower rolling resistance and lighter weight, neither Ford, Roush Yates, or Riley Technologies, is disclosing exactly how much power the race-modified engine is producing. But considering the V6 puts out 365 horsepower right out of the box, there’s no doubt the team has juiced the EcoBoost with well over 500 hp in its efforts to replace the outgoing V8 engine.
The team also set two new world speed records during their run: a 210.018 mph average for 10 miles from a standing start and another at 202.438 mph for a 10 kilometer run.
“This engine is the future,” says Doug Yates, the CEO of Roush Yates Racing. “This Ford EcoBoost engine includes all the newest technologies — direct injection, turbocharging and high efficiency. We’re looking at taking it to the next level through this sports car racing program.”
That next level gets proven this January when the new prototype makes its racing debut at the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Rolex 24-hour race in Daytona.
Photo and video courtesy of Ford Racing
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