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Ford Performance Development Star and Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT Driver Billy Johnson Joins Shelby American Program


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LAS VEGAS – July 22, 2021  Billy Johnson, who competed in a Ford GT at Le Mans for Chip Ganassi Racing and was a development driver for both Ford Motor Company and Multimatic, has joined the testing team at Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK). Key in the production of the latest generation Shelby GT350, Shelby GT500 and Ford GT, Johnson will support Shelby American’s efforts to further refine Shelby suspensions, chassis, engine tunes and performance parts.

“We’re deeply committed to pushing through barriers to enhance the capabilities of our cars, trucks and parts,” said Gary Patterson, President of Shelby American. “Those who compete at the highest levels of motorsports have a unique set of skills that can elevate a testing program. Billy’s vast experience in both motorsports and vehicle development can help us achieve even higher levels of performance at Shelby American.”

A decorated racer, Johnson has raced in the FIA WEC, British GT, NASCAR Cup, NASCAR XFinity, IMSA, IMSA Michelin Pilot Sportscar Challenge (MPSC), Blancpain GT World Challenge America, Formula Star Mazda Pro, Formula BMW, Skip Barber Regional and National Series. In addition to competing worldwide in a Ford GT, he was involved in the refinement and development of the highest performing cars at Ford over the past few years.

“Billy Johnson will play an important role in developing future Shelby vehicles, just as he did at Ford Motor Company and Multimatic,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations, Chief Designer and Test Driver. “After all, Billy is a proven winner who was part of the Ford Ganassi race team that beat Ferrari at Le Mans, 50 years after we did it in 1966.”

Johnson raced for the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for four consecutive years (2016-2019) piloting the #66 Ford GT. He is 2016 IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS champion and won the 2018 endurance race at Spa-Francorchamps in a Ford GT. In the past decade, Billy has more victories and top-3 podium finishes than any driver in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series with 23 wins, 49 podiums and 61 top five finishes.

 

https://bit.ly/3G554vE

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On 11/30/2021 at 5:05 PM, sblack said:

LAS VEGAS – July 22, 2021  Billy Johnson, who competed in a Ford GT at Le Mans for Chip Ganassi Racing and was a development driver for both Ford Motor Company and Multimatic, has joined the testing team at Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK). Key in the production of the latest generation Shelby GT350, Shelby GT500 and Ford GT, Johnson will support Shelby American’s efforts to further refine Shelby suspensions, chassis, engine tunes and performance parts.

“We’re deeply committed to pushing through barriers to enhance the capabilities of our cars, trucks and parts,” said Gary Patterson, President of Shelby American. “Those who compete at the highest levels of motorsports have a unique set of skills that can elevate a testing program. Billy’s vast experience in both motorsports and vehicle development can help us achieve even higher levels of performance at Shelby American.”

A decorated racer, Johnson has raced in the FIA WEC, British GT, NASCAR Cup, NASCAR XFinity, IMSA, IMSA Michelin Pilot Sportscar Challenge (MPSC), Blancpain GT World Challenge America, Formula Star Mazda Pro, Formula BMW, Skip Barber Regional and National Series. In addition to competing worldwide in a Ford GT, he was involved in the refinement and development of the highest performing cars at Ford over the past few years.

“Billy Johnson will play an important role in developing future Shelby vehicles, just as he did at Ford Motor Company and Multimatic,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations, Chief Designer and Test Driver. “After all, Billy is a proven winner who was part of the Ford Ganassi race team that beat Ferrari at Le Mans, 50 years after we did it in 1966.”

Johnson raced for the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for four consecutive years (2016-2019) piloting the #66 Ford GT. He is 2016 IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS champion and won the 2018 endurance race at Spa-Francorchamps in a Ford GT. In the past decade, Billy has more victories and top-3 podium finishes than any driver in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series with 23 wins, 49 podiums and 61 top five finishes.

 

https://bit.ly/3G554vE

Great post Scott!

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