In case you’ve somehow forgotten, allow us to remind you – the Ford GT40 is one of the most legendary and successful Le Mans race cars of all time.
Which is why the news of Ford returning to the series with a race-prepped version of the latest GT is enough to make any enthusiast’s ears perk up. The latest word comes straight from Ford – hat tip to Jalopnik – promising a press conference at Le Mans tomorrow.
Ford is understandably tight-lipped on the specifics, but Jalopnik‘s repurt suggests Chip Ganassi Racing will campaign a two-car team in the Tudor series in North America, along with another team running two more cars in the World Endurance Championship.
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![2017 Ford GT]( "2017 Ford GT")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
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![2017 Ford GT]( "2017 Ford GT")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
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![2017 Ford GT]( "2017 Ford GT")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
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![2017 Ford GT]( "2017 Ford GT")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
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![2017 Ford GT]( "2017 Ford GT")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
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![2017 Ford GT]( "2017 Ford GT")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
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![2017 Ford GT]( "2017 Ford GT")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
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![The Ford GT concept takes shape.]( "Ford GT")
The Ford GT concept takes shape.
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![The Ford GT concept takes shape.]( "Ford GT")
The Ford GT concept takes shape.
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![The Ford GT concept takes shape.]( "Ford GT")
The Ford GT concept takes shape.
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![The Ford GT concept takes shape.]( "Ford GT")
The Ford GT concept takes shape.
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![2017 Ford GT]( "All-NewFordGT_06_HR")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![Ford is planning something special at Le Mans, but is it any wonder what it will be?]( "All-NewFordGT_05_HR")
Ford is planning something special at Le Mans, but is it any wonder what it will be?
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![2017 Ford GT]( "All-NewFordGT_04_HR")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![2017 Ford GT]( "All-NewFordGT_03_HR")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![2017 Ford GT]( "All-NewFordGT_02_HR")
2017 Ford GT
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
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![2017 Ford GT.]( "All-NewFordGT_01_HR")
2017 Ford GT.
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
That’s right – the Ford GT is almost officially coming back to Le Mans, and we’ll know for sure in less than a day.
Read more: The heroes and heartbreaks of the Le Mans saga
Qualifying officially got underway this week at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as teams prepare for the 83rd edition of the historic endurance race. To follow the event’s progress follow the official Twitter account here or Facebook page here.
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
The #34 Ligier JS P2 HPD of Christopher Cumming, Laurens Vanthoor, and Kevin Estre is shown in action during practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#63 - Corvette Racing-GM's Chevrolet Corvette C7.R.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![#77 - Dempsey-Proton Racing's Porsche 911 RSR.]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#77 - Dempsey-Proton Racing's Porsche 911 RSR.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Swiss' Sebastien Buemi drives his Toyota TS 040 - Hybrid #1 during the test day of the 83rd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#28 - Ligier JS P2-Nissan.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Neel Jani of Switzerland drives his Porsche 919 - Hybrid #18 to clock the best lap time of 3'21. 945, during the test day of the 83th Le Mans 24 hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#96 - Aston Martin Racing's Aston Martin Vantage GTE.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#8 - Audi Sport Team Joest's Audi R18 e-tron quattro.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
The #12 Rebillion R-One AER of Nicholas Prost, Nick Heidfeld, and Mathias Beche is shown in action during practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Audi R18-E-Tron Quattro Hybrid #9 clocking the fifth best laps time during the first qualifying practice session of the 83rd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Neel Jani of Switzerland drives his Porsche 919 - Hybrid N°18 to clock the best lap time of 3'21. 945, during the test day of the 83th Le Mans 24 hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#64 - Corvette Racing-GM's Chevrolet Corvette C7.R.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#13 - the Rebellion R-One-AER.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#31 - Extreme Speed Motorsports' Ligier JS P2-Honda.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#88 - Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing's Porsche 911 RSR.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#97 - Aston Martin Racing's Aston Martin Vantage GTE.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
England's Mike Conway drives his Toyota TS 040 - Hybrid #2 during the test day of the 83rd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#96 - Aston Martin Racing's Aston Martin Vantage GTE.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
The #7 Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro of Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer is shown in action during practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Le Mans, France.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Germany's Timo Bernhard drives his Porsche 919 - Hybrid #17, during the test day of the 83th Le Mans 24 hours endurance race. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers will participate on June 13 and 14 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Germany's Timo Bernhard drives his Porsche 919 - Hybrid #17, during the test day of the 83th Le Mans 24 hours endurance race. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers will participate on June 13 and 14 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Neel Jani of Switzerland drives his Porsche 919 - Hybrid #18 to clock the best lap time of 3'21. 945, during the test day of the 83th Le Mans 24 hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
The #22 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo of Harry Tincknell, Michael Krumm, and Alex Buncombe is shown in action in the rain during practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Le Mans, France.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
The #40 Ligier JS P2 Judd of Tracy Krohn , Nic Jonnson, and Joao Barbosa is shown in action during night qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#50 - the Chevrolet Corvette C7.R.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#13 - the Rebellion R-One-AER.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#95 - the Aston Martin Vantage GTE.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Neel Jani of Switzerland drives his Porsche 919 - Hybrid #18 to clock the best lap time of 3'21. 945, during the test day of the 83th Le Mans 24 hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#96 - the Aston Martin Vantage GTE.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#63 - the Chevrolet Corvette C7.R.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
#77 - Dempsey-Proton Racing's Porsche 911 RSR.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Le Mans]( "Wednesday practice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.")
Porsche 919 - Hybrid #17, during the test day of the 83th Le Mans 24 hours endurance race. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers will participate on June 13 and 14 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race.
PHOTO: Darren Begg, Driving
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![Ford is planning something special at Le Mans, but is it any wonder what it will be?]( "All-NewFordGT_05_HR")
Ford is planning something special at Le Mans, but is it any wonder what it will be?
PHOTO: Handout, Ford
Don’t Miss: Here are the four cars to watch at this year’s Le Mans
This story was produced by the editorial department as a result of AUDI’s interest in this topic. AUDI was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication.
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