Best part of the weekend and all this stuff?
Larry Holt of Multimatic on the left, Chris Svensson (Design Director, The Americas, Ford - who you probably recognize from that great Forza 6 Ford GT promo video) on the right. Both great guys I got to spend a lot of time talking to. I don't think Larry would be offended if I said he seemed like exactly the right amount of crazy and brilliant for something like this. We talked about new GT, and also about all the work MM did on the 05/06 car. Told me his side of the billet control arm story (they provided the billet pieces when Ford needed the fix ASAP). Really, really interesting guy. I was thinking "Indy GT's head would be exploding if he was listening to this discussion."
Left to Right -
Craig Metros (Exterior Design Director), Chris Svensson (Design Director, The Americas), Moray Callum (Head of all Ford Design globally), Todd Willing (Design Director Ford Asia Pacific)
A great team. So lucky to talk with these guys about the phenomenal product they've created. All car guys (with cool toys), and all with many interesting things to say. Hope I'm getting this right but I believe Todd was leading within the small studio on GT design at the beginning of the effort, and then when he went to take over the Pacific region Craig came in and completed the task. Chris helms all design in the region GT was done in so he was involved on a day to day basis as director, and then Moray is the head of design of all Ford Motor Company.
They really stressed the team aspect of the project. Also, it's very, very clear race car was the ultimate priority while still retaining road car sensibility. I think that now that we can
finally talk about the race car program, messaging on the road car is going to get a lot more coherent. The powertrain choice, construction method, production volume levels of road car are all a function of "how do we use technology and efficiency to make the most successful race car."
Lucky for us, all of the above will all be in Dearborn for Rally 10, and now that race car program is public, we can start completing a program so you can here about this stuff for yourselves. Awesome stuff from all of them. I can tell you this much, they will fit right in with us :lol
Again, what a weekend!
Ford's phenomenal European PR man Jay Ward took care of Ford GT National Rally Road Rally Champions Matt and Danielle as well (When they weren't busy hanging out with Derek Bell and Hurley Haywood over in the Porsche hospitality). Jay is working on exciting stuff for Ford enthusiasts at LM 16 as we speak!
Photog!
A great shot of the victors and their fans across the way.
