Earlier today, Ford Authority reported that Ford is focusing on showcasing EVs at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place this weekend, July 8th-11th. That includes appearances by the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and a full-size replica of the Team Fordzilla P1 racer. However, the event will also feature Ford’s bonkers Mach-E 1400, with the company’s CEO – Jim Farley – behind the wheel and participating in the legendary Goodwood Hill Climb.
For most CEOs of most automakers, this might seem like a terrible idea. But Farley is a seasoned race car driver who routinely participates in vintage events behind the wheel of his own personal Shelby Cobra, 1966 Ford GT40, and 1978 Lola T298. In fact, the Blue Oval boss recently racked up four podium finishes in four races at the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association’s Sebring Speed Tour at Florida’s Sebring International Raceway.
Farley’s ability to continue participating in motorsports events was one thing he wasn’t willing to give up when he accepted the CEO position last fall, despite the fact that some thought it was a bad idea. Regardless, he’s nearly as qualified for the task of tackling the Goodwood Hill Climb as last year’s Mach-E 1400 exhibition driver at the UK event, Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Farley’s presence behind the wheel of the Mach-E 1400 at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is more than enough reason to tune in, but it isn’t the only reason. The Mach-E GT will also tackle the hill climb, while the Team Fordzilla P1 will sport an all-new livery celebrating Ford’s historic 1-2-3 finish at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s all part of the automaker’s plan to prove that EVs are indeed fun to drive as it prepares to go all-electric in Europe by 2030, or perhaps even sooner.
We’ll have more on the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
Have fun Jim! I’m sure you will.
Mark B… sure that Jim will have fun BUT he should hire a car, doubt it will be a Ford outside the UK and drive around in mainland Europe.
I’m on holiday right now in France, plenty of nice new saloon cars over here, you barely see a new Ford here but mind you, in 1992 Ford was market leader in the old continent.
Nowadays Ford is even behind Toyota with NOT a car in the top 10 of most sold cars, even not a Fiesta or Focus.
In 2022 Ford will decrease even more and probably slide behind more brands but you’re right, Jim will have fun and a bonus at the end of the year.
WAKE UP, it’s now or never for Ford
Glad he’s able to do that. Maybe he should be worried about how to deliver vehicles in a timely manner. 🤬