Ford becomes automotive partner of IMSA championships

The International Motor Sports Association has agreed a three-year deal to make Ford an official automotive partner of its United SportsCar Championship and SportsCar Challenge series.

Under the partnership, the US automotive giant will supply the official safety car for Saturday’s Sports Car Showcase at Long Beach. The event will air on Fox Sports 1 in the US.

Ford’s new V6 engine won its first United SportsCar Championship race last month, powering the No.1 Telcel Chip Ganassi Racing Riley DP co-driven by Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas and Marino Franchitti to the overall and prototype class victory in the Twelve Hours of Sebring – it’s fourth victory at the endurance race.

Ford has 38 victories and 22 pole positions in SportsCar Challenge competition.