Unloading of new GTs at Capricorn near the Nuerburgring. 101 cars are converted here. 
Reminds me of the phrase "Build a hundred of them". Guess who said that and what for? 

Original Ford shipment seal stickers were torn for modifications 

GT on hoist in the Capricorn hall.

Engine bay opened for mods

A black Mustang GT from a fellow german Mustanger flexed its muscle as well. The only figure we got here is 7,4 litre fuel consumption for one lap (22km), which isn't too bad if driven the Ring manner (sums up to 29 litre per 100km, the Viper convertible took 32l/100km or 8litre per the round. Fading brakes were a big concern however, so he is now looking for aftermarket ones.

THE RING MAP

The 2005 Ford Total Performance event 
at the Nuerburgring 13th. of July
Ford speed experts from the SVT associated UK Roush team, ST (Sport Technologies) Team and RS Team met at the Nuerburging 


10-16.th July 2005 saw a round-up of some of the original GT40ies with a GT provided by Ford UK for a lifestyle oriented photoshoot tour  
Spots and meetings with original GT40 owners were choosen in the UK, in Monaco, in France at the Le Mans museum .
Passing by the Nuerburgring and visiting the GT european conversion facility Capricorn was one of the highlights that I could attend.

After that they were driving down via the Rosso Bianco museum to the Ferrari works gate in Modena and an exceptional photoshooting down in Monaco with Mr. Nahums 2 original GT40s. Then on via Geneve to the Le Mans museum with some GT40 owners. 

Pictured is Rich on right and Armin  (professional GT driver at the Ring). Rich got the ride of his life plus more......he almost collapsed. 
Several mags are expected to report about  this tour. 
Our indeed functional network proofed worth to organise a number of "genuine" GT40ies to meet the GT and Rich during the trip in London, Monaco and France/Belgium. Thanks to all people involved.  

This was a truely unique Total Performance Day for Ford and myself at one of the most famous circle race  track. The UK Roush Team escorted our friend Rich Truesdell on his tour.
The RS Team Manager of Ford in Germany Jost Capito organized the track session at the Nürburgring and by incident other members of the Team RS were present as well with a Focus ST prototype (225HP). 
Ford Cologne brought down a Fiesta ST (150HP) and we could enjoy an introductionary trip in this underestimated true compact road rallye car. All teams had lots of experience to share and it was quite interesting to listen to real die-hard enthusiasts, which seem still to be plentiful within Ford .....

The incident got little public attention aside from the crowds gathering around the GT and the camera car, a Chrysler sponsored Viper convertible.

The Fiesta ST amongst his big brothers. At Capricorn the 101 assigned GTs get converted for the european market.


The ST does not need to hide between the GT group awaiting conversion indeed. We had a thrilling 9.30 min ride in it around the track with the RS team leader Jost Capito. A truely impressive performance cart that forgives anything, whatever you do at the Ring called "green hell". 

This prototype Focus ST - first shown at the Geneva show in March 2005 but not yet launched- was thoroughly tested at the Nuerburgring on 13th. July. Jost had a ride in it and gave the ST members some decent proposals for improvement. 

This orange metallic colour will be the launch colour, when the Focus ST is introduced in Europe in January 2006. All Focus ST are build 1/2 an hour away from the Ring in Germany.

Update 2008. Jost Capito finally became group leader of the Performance Group worldwide and will be starting his new job in Detroit as of January 2009. I knew back thenalready  this guy had potential. Congratulations to you, Jost.