After Getting Shamed By Porsche, Ford Mustang GTD Goes Back To The ‘Ring
Read the full story on Backfire News
Ford was so bent out of shape about the Porsche 911 GT3 with a manual transmission beating out the Mustang GTD around the Nurburgring, the American automaker went back and set a new lap record with the little pony. Part of us finds that admirable and part of us finds it hilarious, plus we know this is something enthusiasts will argue about endlessly.In case you forgot, back in December Ford did this big leadup to revealing the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring lap time, which was honestly impressive at 06:57.685. The time was not only a record for Mustangs but all American production cars.
Then in April Porsche revealed the lap time for the 911 GT3 with a manual transmission. It did the test because the German automaker was just curious how fast it would be without the automatic since the manual is ordered more.
Porsche didn't say anything about Ford or the Mustang GTD, but people immediately realized the 06:56.294 lap time was over a second faster.
With its upcoming halo car humiliated and obviously feeling its reputation was on the line, Ford went back to the Green Hell, using the Mustang GTD to lap it in 06:52.072. The Blue Oval is attributing the previous lap time, which it was previously quite happy about, to conditions at the time.
Apparently, it was quite wet and temperatures were high, or something like that. We get how that can affect lap times, but we don't hear Porsche saying those sorts of things.
Ford also stiffened up the suspension settings, retuned the powertrain, revised the aero, and tweaked the brakes so the fastest pony ever could get around the famous German track even quicker. We're just wondering why the company didn't do all that the first time?
Now we have to wonder if Porsche will come back with the new 911 GT3 equipped with the PDK and scorch the Ford Mustang GTD's lap time yet again. After all, the Germans were clearly holding back by using the manual transmission.
Image via Ford
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report: Liverpool transfer could collapse due to international duty scare
Wirtz Transfer Talks Accelerate Amid Injury Concerns Liverpool's ambitious pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has taken a dramatic twist this week, as concerns around his involvement in Germany's Nations League campaign threaten to derail what could become the biggest German transfer in history. Advertisement According to Bild, 'Florian Wirtz is on the verge of the biggest German transfer of all time', with Liverpool now pushing hard to finalise a deal worth around €150 million. That fee would surpass any previous purchase made by the Reds and set a new Bundesliga record for an outgoing transfer. However, the timing of the move has left club officials increasingly anxious. Wirtz is currently away on international duty, and Leverkusen fear that an injury while playing for Germany could throw the entire deal into jeopardy. 'If Wirtz gets injured, the entire transfer could be jeopardised. Liverpool could want to reduce the fee or back out altogether.' This sentiment echoes the high-stakes nature of the current talks, which have seen both clubs intensify negotiations. Medical Checks Already Underway in Germany In a sign of how advanced discussions have become, Empire of the Kop cite that a private jet flew from Manchester to Cologne, reportedly to conduct medical checks on Wirtz while he is away with the national team. Advertisement Although nothing has been signed yet, this quiet but crucial move behind the scenes reveals the seriousness of Liverpool's intent. Wirtz is widely seen as the creative lynchpin of Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen side, and his potential arrival at Anfield would mark a seismic addition to Arne Slot's midfield project. Germany face Portugal on Wednesday night, and the timing could not be worse. Liverpool are determined to close the deal before anything potentially damaging occurs on the pitch. Leverkusen, who have already rejected a €130 million bid, are similarly eager to avoid disaster. Player Wants Liverpool Switch as Talks Continue As reported by Empire of the Kop, the 22-year-old midfielder is only interested in joining Liverpool. Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri also confirmed this detail on X, suggesting personal terms may not be a stumbling block at all. Advertisement With the player keen and Liverpool determined, attention now shifts back to the negotiating table. While a second offer has already been rejected, it appears Liverpool are inching closer to the €150 million valuation Leverkusen demand. Wirtz's performances this season under Alonso have been nothing short of sensational. The attacking midfielder has contributed heavily to Leverkusen's remarkable campaign and has emerged as one of Europe's most sought-after young talents. Photo by IMAGO Risk Management Key Before Euro 2024 The fact that this move is not yet complete is what continues to worry all parties involved. Should Wirtz suffer any kind of injury while representing Germany this week, the consequences could be enormous for both player and clubs. Advertisement Behind the scenes, all efforts are focused on getting the deal wrapped up quickly. While Wirtz has a strong desire to play for Liverpool, the reality of international football means no club can fully protect their asset until signatures are inked. As things stand, negotiations continue and there remains cautious optimism around the outcome. But as one source explained to Empire of the Kop, 'talks are progressing between the two clubs', though the mood is tense given what is at stake. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis As a Liverpool supporter, it is hard not to get excited about the prospect of signing Florian Wirtz. A €150 million deal may seem massive, but Wirtz is not just another prospect — he is a generational talent. His vision, intelligence, and ability to dictate the tempo of a match from advanced midfield areas make him a dream addition to Arne Slot's system. Advertisement However, the timing is deeply frustrating. It is entirely understandable that Leverkusen and Liverpool are both nervous about Wirtz playing during the international break. This situation brings back memories of past sagas where promising transfers collapsed due to last-minute complications. The fact that Liverpool have already flown medical staff over shows how serious this is. It is not just paper talk anymore — there is real movement. If Wirtz is pushing for this move, and Leverkusen are willing to sell for the right price, we should do everything in our power to finalise it swiftly. Ideally, before Euro 2024 starts. The club has shown ambition here. Let's hope injury doesn't become the plot twist that kills it.
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sunday hunting is up for debate again in the state House
A white-tailed deer is seen at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming on Aug. 8, 2015. (Tom Koerner/USFWS/CC BY 2.0) The latest effort to expand hunting on Sundays in Pennsylvania passed a key House committee with bipartisan support Tuesday. State Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny), sponsor of House Bill 1431, described the effort to repeal Pennsylvania's Sunday prohibition on hunting as a 'groundbreaking collaboration' of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and multiple advocacy groups. The bill passed by a 18-8 vote in the House Game & Fisheries Committee, with every Democrat voting in favor and four Republicans supporting. It will next be considered by the full House. 'In my busy family with four active kids, Sundays are often our only free day of the week,' Steele said. 'Sunday could be an opportunity to educate our children about the great American tradition of protecting wild places and the deep connection to the land that comes through responsible and respectful hunting, a core value among hunters.' Steele said when delving into the issue, she learned that farmers and wildlife biologists think expanding hunting on Sundays would reduce crop damage and help the state's woods by better managing the deer herd. 'We must heed this call from so many so intimately connected with the land,' Steele said, while asking for support to end what she described as the state's 'archaic and harmful prohibition on Sunday hunting.' Gov. Tom Wolf signed a law in 2019 to allow deer hunting on three Sundays: One during archery season, one during rifle season, and one selected by the Game Commission. That law was sponsored by Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), who authored Senate Bill 67, a companion bill to Steele's proposal. Both Steele and Laughlin's bills would require at least one member of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Board of Commissioners to have an agriculture background. For years, Pennsylvania's 'blue law' prohibition of hunting on Sundays has been a hot-button issue. Supporters argue that expanding hunting on Sundays could help grow the sport, while organizations representing hikers and horseback riders have made the case that Sundays are best left without it, so they can enjoy the outdoors without concerns for their own safety from those hunting. The House passed Steele's proposal to repeal Pennsylvania's Sunday hunting ban last June by a 129-73 vote, although it did not pass the Senate. Laughlin and Steele told the Capital-Star earlier this year they're optimistic this is the session the bill could get across the finish line. State Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks), minority chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, voted against the proposal on Tuesday and spoke at-length about his concerns. He discussed his issues with the language about trespassing penalties, the requirement for a member of the agriculture community to be on the Game Commission Board, questioned the effectiveness of the law combatting crop damage and protecting forests, and free time. 'I don't really buy into this idea that another weekend day is going to clear up all the woes of the sportsmen and the Game Commission,' Maloney said. He added that he has never taken a position about whether or not he'd hunt on Sunday, but asked for a no-vote, believing the legislation 'complicates the issue.' In response to Maloney's concerns, Steele emphasized that the bill is being backed by a wide variety of organizations that include the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists, and Hunter Nation. The committee also unanimously approved House Bill 1507, authored by Steele, to allow out-of-state college students living in Pennsylvania to purchase a hunting license for the same price as residents. Steele argued it could boost hunting participation in Pennsylvania. The Game Commission, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists support the bill. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission also offers fishing licenses to out-of-state college students for the same price as residents, but Game Commission license fees must be approved by the General Assembly, according to a co-sponsorship memo. 'For a student surviving on ramen noodles … this could be a deciding factor between participating in the great American outdoor tradition or being priced out entirely,' she added.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
French Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz dominates Tommy Paul in straight sets in quarterfinal match
Carlos Alcaraz did not give Tommy Paul room to breathe as he cruised to victory at the French Open quarterfinals on Tuesday. The Spanish star dominated Paul, 6-0, 6-1, 6-5, to advance to the semifinals on Friday. The pair met at Philippe-Chatrier in a clash of the No. 2 and No. 12-seed contenders. In the end, Alcaraz proved too much for Paul, who has shown incredible resilience at Roland Garros this year. Advertisement Alcaraz came out guns blazing and established a dominant 5-0 lead in the opening set. The early onslaught foreshadowed what was to come as he flawlessly took the first frame, 6-0. Paul struck first in the second set after going scoreless in the first. However, it was short-lived as Alcaraz quickly turned the American's 1-0 lead into a 6-1 turnaround. When the time came to finish the job, Alcaraz did not take his foot off the pedal and stuck the nail in the coffin. Paul put up a great fight in the third but fell short of containing the well-composed Alcaraz. Just as in the second set, Paul opened the scoring and established a 2-1 lead before they went neck and neck. The pair went 4-4 before Alcaraz put the match to rest. This breaking news story will be updated.
