The 10-kilometer and 10-mile speed runs by Colin Braun in the Michael Shank Racing Ford EcoBoost/Riley Daytona Prototype at Daytona International Speedway in October have been homologated by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Land Speed Records Commission as official world records.
Braun established fastest-lap standards for 10 kilometers (203.010 mph) and 10 miles (210.017 mph) – both from a standing start. The record runs were overseen by officials of the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) in conjunction with the FIA.
“It is pretty cool to have the record run be homologated by the FIA,” said Braun. “It was exciting to be right on the edge, and it was much tougher than I expected it was going to be to go break these records. The FIA has incredibly high standards and my hat is off to everyone at Daytona, Ford, Continental Tire, IMSA, and Michael Shank Racing for the all homework they did to prepare for the run with the new EcoBoost motor. It was a pretty exciting day for everyone and it is something I’ll always remember. To have it be certified for the record books is a great reward for all the work that went into this.”
Michael Shank Racing was the first team to utilize Ford’s new 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine in its Daytona Prototype. It will be joined by a pair of similar cars fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in the 2014 debut of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.
“Getting the FIA homologation for the record run is great news for everyone who was involved in this program,” said team owner Mike Shank. “It was a big effort and none of it would have happened without all these partners — Ford, Continental Tire, EMCO, and BBS, as well as everyone at IMSA and Daytona International Speedway — working together with this one goal. It was a big day for everyone involved and I am really thankful to have that kind of support from everyone to pull this off. My guys are working every day now to be prepared to bring the EcoBoost another big day at the Speedway with a win in the Rolex 24 next month.”
The 2014 TUDOR Championship opens at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. with the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 25-26, 2014.
