Ford Chip Ganassi Racing started off this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship in spectacular fashion this weekend with the #66 Ford GT taking the checkered flag at the 6 Hours of Spa. Drivers Stefan Mücke, Olivier Pla, and Billy Johnson, battled for the majority of the day against a pair of tough Porsche GT Team 911 RSR GTEs. The win came as the #66 Ford GT made a bold move to overtake the #91 Porsche GT on the inside at one of Spa-Francorchamp’s most fabled corners, Eau Rouge, which proved crucial to the win.

To be one of the development drivers of the Ford GT and to be able to race it is a huge honor. — Billy Johnson, driver

“It has been two years coming, and they drove brilliantly,” Team Principal, George Howard-Chappell, enthused. “Oli’s move down into Eau Rouge is one of the best I’ve seen.”

“To bring home a win, marking the 66’s first, and the first for Stefan and Olivier in the WEC with Ford was a big monkey off the whole team’s back,” Billy Johnson told Racer. “The pace has been there in the past – the hard work has too – it’s just the results that haven’t. It was very satisfying, now all four Fords racing in IMSA and the WEC have won races.”

Both Ford GT’s managed to secure the top qualifying spots leading up the Saturday’s race. However, after the #67 Ford GT suffered a massive accident at Eau Rouge at the start of the second hour, it was up to the #66 car to battle the field alone to victory.

“To be one of the development drivers of the Ford GT and to be able to race it is a huge honor,” Billy added. “To then win in that car brings the whole thing full circle and is a dream come true. I love driving with these guys, and it’s great to have such a brilliant team – what a great start to the 2018-2019 season!”

The next FIA World Endurance Championship race is the fabled 24 Hours of Le Mans in France on June 16-17, 2018.