Ford CEO, Jim Farley Cheers Historic Win with Mustang GT4

Dew Briefs:

• The Australian racing debut of the Mustang GT4 took place at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from April 12-14, 2024.
• The event, called the Ford Mustang 60 Years Race Phillip Island, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Mustang.
• Andrew and George Miedecke, owners of a successful Ford dealership, were the proud owners of the new Mustang GT4.

“Congratulations to George Miedecke, Rylan Gray, and the entire Miedecke team on a fantastic debut race victory in Australia with the Ford Mustang GT4! What a wonderful way to commemorate 60 years of Mustang.” Jim Farley, CEO Ford/X

In the opening Monochrome GT4 Australia race at Phillip Island, Rylan Gray secured victory driving the Miedecke Motorsport with Lubrimaxx Ford Mustang GT4, marking a successful debut for the team. Gray’s triumph came after overtaking Tom Hayman’s Method Motorsport McLaren Artura GT4 following the pit stops, in a closely contested battle that saw Gray finish just 0.735s ahead of Hayman. Tim Leahey clinched the Am Class win and completed the podium with his BMW M4 GT4 G82 for Central West Prestige. Here’s a breakdown of the key events:

Celebrating 60th Anniversary: Ford Mustang GT4 Secures First Victory in Australia at Phillip Island

Pre-race Drama:

• Sam Brabham led from pole position in the Love Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT4 at the start, with George Miedecke quickly rising to third in the Mustang GT4.
• Marcos Flack in the Method Motorsport McLaren took the lead from Brabham on the opening lap, while Ryder Quinn moved up to second in the Black Diamond BMW.

Mid-Race Highlights:

• Josh Buchan made an impressive transition from TCR to GT4 racing, elevating the DNA Racing Team McLaren to ninth before the pit stops.
• A collision between Antonio Astuti and Lachlan Mineeff in the pit lane led to Astuti’s retirement and delayed Mineeff, who rejoined to finish 15th.

Post-Pit Stop Action:

• Hayman held a slight lead over Gray after the pit stops, but the Mustang regained the advantage and held on for victory.
• Gray and Hayman also secured the top two positions in the Silver Cup category, with Leahey claiming the Am Class win.

Podium Results:

• Gray and Miedecke’s Mustang dominated, with Flack and Hayman’s McLaren finishing second after a penalty.
• Leahey’s consistent drive earned him fourth overall and victory in the Am Class.

Conclusion:

• Gray’s Mustang GT4 took victory by just 0.735s over Hayman’s McLaren.
• Flack and Hayman’s McLaren received a penalty, dropping them to second place.
• Leahey clinched victory in the Am Class with his BMW M4 GT4 G82.
• Monochrome GT4 Australia’s next race will take place at The Bend Motorsport Park on May 31-June 2.

Diver Insights: Main Highlights of the Event

• The car was driven by George Miedecke, a seasoned racer, and Rylan Grey, a 17-year-old competing in a Mustang Supercar for Tickford Racing.
• The arrival of the Mustang GT4 marked a new era of Ford Performance in Australia.
• The car embodied the spirit of performance and passion that defines the Mustang legacy.
• The global director of Ford Performance Motorsports highlighted the significance of the Mustang and the excitement surrounding its GT4 racing version’s Australian debut.
• Miedecke Motorsport with Lubrimaxx Ford Mustang GT4, driven by George Miedecke and Rylan Gray, achieved a clean sweep in Round 1 of Monochrome GT4 Australia at Phillip Island.
• The Mustang outlasted an early challenge from the Method Motorsport McLaren Artura GT4 of Tom Hayman to secure victory.
• Marcos Flack, who took over from Hayman during pit stops, emerged with a 16-second lead after the penalty of Method Motorsport for an incomplete pit stop time.
• Jake Camilleri in the Gomersall Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT4 claimed the outright podium after penalties affected the Method Motorsport McLarens.
• Tim Leahey won the Am Class and finished fourth in the Central West Prestige BMW M4 GT4 G82.
• Bailey Love and Sam Brabham finished sixth in the Love Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT4.
• Pro-Am winners Jason Yu and Josh Buchan placed seventh in the Team DNA McLaren Racing Artura GT4.
• Shane Smollen and Lachlan Mineeff in the Method Motorsport Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 finished just behind in eighth place.
• Zoe Woods in a similar Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 for TekworkX Motorsport rounded off the top 10.
• Miedecke and Gray led the Silver Cup, followed by Flack and Hayman, with Camilleri completing the class podium.
• Yu and Buchan won in Pro-Am, with Smollen and Mineeff in second place.
• Mark Cotterell’s Ginetta G55 GT4 finished third in Pro-Am.
• Leahey completed the Am Cup sweep, with Bowe and Lawrence in second place.
• Mark Griffith secured third place in Am Cup.
• Monochrome GT4 Australia’s next event will be at The Bend Motorsport Park on May 31-June 2.