Michael Shank Racing Set for EcoBoost from Ford, Looks to Break Records

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Pataskala, Ohio (1 October 2013) – Michael Shank Racing is pleased to announce that the team has signed on with Ford’s EcoBoost engine program in advance of the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Michael Shank Racing’s Ozz Negri scored a record-setting pole at Daytona International Speedway in the team’s first outing with Ford in 2008, and now is the first team to put the EcoBoost power behind its Daytona Prototype car.

The new 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine will make its competition debut at the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona which will be held January 25-26 and will run the entire 12-race season, powering a new-look Daytona Prototype car, created with Ford corporate design influence.  Looking to get the new program off to a flying start, Michael Shank Racing will head to Daytona with the record books in mind as the new engine will debut at Daytona International Speedway on October 9.

Together with partners Ford Racing and Continental Tire, the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona-winning team will look to set a new track record at the historic speedway by surpassing the previous record of 210.364 mph. That record was set on February 9, 1987 by NASCAR Champion Bill Elliott who drove a Ford Thunderbird in qualifying for the Daytona 500.

It’s really a privilege to have an opportunity to put your name in the record books like this,” said team owner Mike Shank. “It is almost inconceivable that this record has stood for such a long time, so it’s pretty special to be involved. We worked a long time to develop our relationship with Ford to be in a position to take on projects like this. Anytime you can get in the record books, it is a great opportunity and just builds on what this company has done.”

Colin Braun, who currently competes in the American Le Mans Series for CORE Autosport, will pilot the EcoBoost-powered Daytona Prototype for the speed record attempt. He drove for Michael Shank Racing in the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona alongside co-drivers Ozz Negri, Mark Patterson, and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Ford_02This engine is the future,” says Doug Yates, CEO, Roush Yates Racing Engines. “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.”

A new Ford-inspired Riley Technologies Daytona Prototype car will accompany the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost in Daytona. The car’s body features enhanced Ford production vehicle design cues created by lead Ford production designer Garen Nicoghosian with aerodynamic support from Ford Racing chief aerodynamicist Bernie Marcus.

Michael Shank Racing will take to the Daytona International Speedway track on Wednesday, October 9 beginning at 8:00 AM ET as the team starts to build speed for the record attempt.