By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(January 28, 2017) Ford announced this week that its new GT has a top speed of 216 mph, produces 647 horsepower and 550 lb.-ft. of torque with 90% of peak torque available from 3,500 rpm, weighs approximately 3,000 pounds bone dry (that is, with no fluids whatsoever onboard), has a power-to-weight ratio of 4.72 lb./horsepower, and is faster around the track than the McLaren 675LT and Ferrari 458 Speciale.

What was weird, however, was where the track testing took place: Calabogie Motorsport Park in Ontario, Canada. It’s not exactly one of the more famous race tracks in the world, but — despite its made up sounding name — it’s one that can be found on the Internet.

A quick check shows that the 5.05 km (3.14 mile) track has 20 turns, and is the longest road course in Canada. The 40-ft. wide track was designed by Alan Wilson, opened in the fall of 2006, and has a 2,000-foot straight. While it can accommodate a certain level of professional motorsport, the track was designed for the owners of road going sports cars and sport bikes, and meant to host small groups of the same in “low-intensity competitive or non-competitive conditions.”

In other words, events like those you would find at any of the automotive country clubs that have sprung up in the past decade or so. It’s just the place you can expect a prospective Canadian Ford GT buyer to take his car for an afternoon of fun.

But why a small track in Canada? Did Ford want to test the GT in private, away from prying eyes, until it could be certain the GT would trounce the competition? If so, there are other tracks closer to home on which to do this. Then again, it could be that the track was more suited to the GT, giving it an advantage it might not have enjoyed elsewhere. Except that the GT is only slightly heavier than the McLaren, has driver-adjustable aerodynamic and suspension settings, and a fully competitive power-to-weight ratio. It should be competitive on most any track.

So why was the Ford GT tested in the town of Calabogie in the province of Ontario?

The answer can be found on the track’s home page. There you will find a banner ad for Multimatic, the folks who have helped design, develop, and build the Ford GT. Calabogie is the closest professional-level track to the Multimatic facility in Markham, Ontario. Getting a pro driver and a set of competitive cars track prepped and up to the facility undoubtedly is easier than hiring a “name” road course, and getting all the participants in the same place at the same time. When a test track is in your own back yard, so to speak, you can be ready at a moment’s notice.

Which begs, the question: Will Ford repeat this exercise at other motorsport country clubs? It would seem to be a perfect way to reach the intended market in familiar surroundings, while providing a platform for Ford to sell its performance lineup and regular road vehicles to a captive audience during a Ford-sponsored weekend.

The Virtual Driver