Ford EcoBoost Racing Engine to Debut at Daytona

There will be a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 taking on V8-powered race cars on January 25 at the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

But before any of that happens, Michael Shank Racing is going to make an attempt for the record speed run at that track on October 9 with Colin Braun behind the wheel. The team will being using Ford’s EcoBoost race engine, which will make its race debut during the 24 Hours of Daytona early next year, for the entire 12-race season. Currently, the track’s speed record sits at 210.364 mph and was set on February 9, 1987 by NASCAR racer Bill Elliot.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor is an EcoBoost-Powered Sport Truck

“At Ford Racing, we really put great emphasis on racing production-based vehicles as well as production-based technologies,” Ford Racing director Jamie Allison said. “We’re proud to bring a direct-injected, twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine to the United SportsCar Championship in a field of competitive V8-powered entries. We want to show Ford EcoBoost’s capabilities as an engine that provides both performance and fuel economy, on and off the track.”

Ford uses the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 in its Taurus SHO and the F-150 pickup truck.

“This engine is the future,” says Doug Yates, CEO, Roush Yates Racing Engines. “This Ford EcoBoost engine includes all the newest technologies – direct injection, turbocharging and high efficiency. We’re looking at taking it to the next level through this sports car racing program.”

Ford says the EcoBoost engine recently underwent endurance testing at the company’s Dynamometer Lab in Dearborn Mich. The dyno cell used is dedicated to motorsports and is capable of full vehicle simulations in racing conditions.

Discuss this story at FordInsideNews.com