Face the Rolling Hills of Lime Rock Park with Ford’s Finest in the Forza Garage
Before we get into week four of the Forza Garage – what we are calling “Ford Week” since we are announcing a long list of incredible rides from one of America’s most exciting and prestigious automakers – let’s talk about our latest track announcement for Forza Motorsport 6.
At E3, we announced a number of new environments that are part of the 26 locales you’ll be able to race in Forza 6 – Rio de Janeiro, Daytona International Speedway, Watkins Glen and Brands Hatch. Today, we bring you Lime Rock Park.
Lime Rock Park
Nestled in the hills of New England, this gloriously serene setting has been a home to motorsport since 1957. While its rolling hills and dales may appear simplistic, mastering their complex camber and radii is something great drivers from every racing discipline have struggled to achieve for decades. The 1.5 miles of racing surface at Lime Rock was engineered with the help of Cornell Aeronautical Labs using scientific and highway-safety principles. The track’s six right-hand corners and single left-hand turn are deceptively fast, and its track width is utterly unforgiving. Heading uphill, you enter turn five blindly, so it will take time to master your turn in and braking. Nearly all the racing greats have tread here, from Paul Newman to Stirling Moss. Everything with wheels from stock cars to Formula 5000 have fought for victory or suffered in defeat on this American treasure. Now you can experience its challenge and majesty in Forza Motorsport 6.
This week, we also introduce a bevy of Fords to the lineup you will have the chance to experience on Sept. 15. Racing’s influence on Ford’s iconic cars is only matched by the automaker’s impact upon racing itself.
1981 Ford #2 Zakspeed Racing Capri Turbo
Raw, brutal and beautiful define the beast that is the #2 Zakspeed Racing Capri Turbo. This Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft-era silhouette racer kept Ford in the racing headlines following its besting of Ferrari at Le Mans in the 1960s and Formula One triumphs in the 1970s. Every element of the #2 Capri is dramatic – from its mammoth wheel arches that house bespoke cooling to its massive aero package from nose to tail. While the overall form of the Zakspeed Racing Capri resembles its road-going counterpart, that shape is where the similarities end. The #2 Capri’s overall height barely reaches the production car’s door sill and underneath the Kevlar-reinforced plastic body panels is an aluminum spaceframe. It’s powered by a fire-breathing monster of an engine that’s capable of reaching more than 9000 rpm. The engine suffered massive turbo lag – indicative of the era – but repaid its pilot with spectacular force under full boost. This icon of racing is not for the faint of heart, waiting to either bite your backside or blow your mind. Tread with caution, but enjoy every minute of the ride.
1969 Ford Boss 302
The 1969 Boss 302 is a legend of Trans-Am racing, built by Ford to compete against the scourge of GM victories. It was driven by the likes of Parnelli Jones and temporarily turned the tables in Ford’s favor in the 1970 season. This free-breathing old school V8 was capable of much more than controlled terror in a corner – in fact, it was downright sporting. Car & Driver Magazine called it “the best handling Ford to ever come out of Dearborn.” It may have been rated at 290 horsepower, but everyone knew upon driving it there were much closer to 400 ponies under the hood. With less than 2,000 built in 1969, the Boss 302 is the perfect competitor in any race of American steel.
Here are the rest of the rides we’re welcoming to the Forza Motorsport 6 garage today:
1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra
1966 Ford Country Squire
1985 Ford RS200 Evolution
1966 Ford GT40 Mk II
1966 Ford Lotus Cortina
1973 Ford Capri RS3100
1981 Ford Fiesta XR2
2007 Ford Shelby GT500
2000 Ford SVT Cobra R
1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth
1993 Ford SVT Cobra R
1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500
1965 Ford Mustang GT Coupe
1940 Ford De Luxe Coupe
2003 Ford Focus RS
1956 Ford F-100
1975 Ford Bronco
2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
2011 Ford Transit SuperSportVan
1997 Mazda RX-7
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR
1997 Honda Civic Type R
1997 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec
2002 Lotus Esprit V8
2011 Peugeot 308 GTI
2004 Maserati MC12
1981 Volkswagen Scirocco S
2014 Alfa Romeo 4C
2011 Radical SR8 RX
2008 Lamborghini Reventon
2013 Donkervoort D8 GTO
2013 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Tech Line Top Gear Edition
2014 Chevrolet Super Sport
2013 Dodge Ram Runner
1968 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds 442
2011 BMW X5 M
1969 Ferrari Dino 246 GT
1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
For more information on cars and tracks coming to Forza Motorsport 6 on Sept. 15, check out ForzaMotorsport.net.