How to race from 18th to 3rd in five laps in a Ford GT40 | Goodwood 78MM onboard with Tom Kristensen

Tom Kristensen might just know what he's doing in a racing car. We think the nine Le Mans victories prove that quite well. But after his retirement it's still clear that every now and then he is quite happy to prove just how good he really is behind the wheel of something ferocious.
Take, for example, this Ford GT40, which he raced alongside Sam Hancock in the Gurney Cup at the 79th Goodwood Members' Meeting in 2021. After a good qualifying an incident in the race sent TK back to 18th for the restart after the Safety Car was brought out for three laps. Sad for him, but great for us, as we get to see him carve his way through the field into contention at the head in just a handful of tours. The BTCC race winner was in no mood to be held up and dispatched sportscars and other GT40s on his way forwards.
Please enjoy this snapshot of the fightback and listen to that sonorous V8 sing.
#78MM #GT40 #TomKristensen
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[@GoodwoodRR]

Because there is only one direction that TK knows.

[@mojo3008]

Is that a 289 or 427?

[@jackburton7959]

4.7/289

[@knightu1642]

Thank you for this glorious video and audio!!! Ford GT40 is the greatest race car ever produced! And beautiful track!!! Cheers from Orlando, Florida my friends!!!

[@NulJern]

Oh yes! Watch Race of Champions and you can watch him destroy f1 drivers and some rally drivers too or just watch other Goodwood videos, he is always worth watching. He is a legend. And in no way Ford GT40 is the greatest race car ever produced, noooo way.. Wasn't sure it was actually a Ford he was driving, but then i saw the windscreen wiper start dancing upwards on the straight and thought, ok it is for sure a Ford. lol

[@joevenuti1201]

Seemed like 7 laps to me, and he ends up in 4th, not 3rd.

[@AIRDRAC]

It's so impressive to see him go through the field of cars, and then realise when he got free of the traffic, that he had been holding back up until then. It legit sounded like he reached each corner at 1000+ higher rpm after he got out of the traffic (and a few times actually a gear higher, despite pushing further out in the gears as well!), despite still being so much faster than the others in traffic!

[@sherylellingson3538]

I thought I caught that also. That lap where he had no traffic, was killer.

[@WDLC1911]

Yep. I noticed that, too! Amazing lap with no traffic. Will make a ringtone from this. 😘🥰😍

[@Mikesding]

Yeah the lap with no traffic looked a lot quicker (and sounded a lot more on the edge) - love it

[@donchristie420]

@@WDLC1911 👍

[@donchristie420]

Read your comment before seeing that portion- thanks for pointing out and agree

[@visionary_rc7987]

Gotta love those classic cars being driven like they were intended!

[@HepauDK]

Indeed. The old girl sounded awesome at high revs! :)

[@Ralph2]

Solid. No risks. But very quick. That was a masterclass!

[@oltee8196]

Exactly my thoughts as watching this

[@dashawnrobinson1802]

Brutal downshifts !

[@sepg5084]

The other drivers do not seem to be defending their positions though and thus the lowered risk, since this is a vintage car "race".

[@LeonardoBruno54]

We are seeing why this guy won LeMans 9 times. Precise, decided, under control.

[@sylentxtinction2097]

Apart from some questionable throttling in the bends, I'd have to agree. Great show... and well poised patience, as well.

[@andrewdrabble8939]

Sheer poetry in motion and the 'noise' coming from that V8 howling away was just sublime

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

I like how several of the drivers he comes up on, don't act like idiots trying to block the faster car, and instead leave space to get things done so they can be back on their own racing line faster.

[@frankschwartz7405]

Well, these are real race car drivers, not a bunch of NASCAR-wreck hacks.

[@frankotto83]

@@frankschwartz7405 also, i don't think they want to wreck their possible multi-million dollar vintage racecars!😅

[@colinscutt5104]

@@frankotto83 no one wants to be that guy !

[@mariomc8808]

"All the time you have to leave THE space". - Fernando Alonso

[@artysanmobile]

That is the norm for vintage racing.

[@JB-xd9dr]

His overtaking was sublime! Ok he had power advantage over most, but just supreme all the same.

[@alphamaledriveshard]

I think he had a shorter final drive ratio than the other GT40s

[@larryboyes7276]

Experience of driving in such fields of varying power.

[@thethirdman225]

@@alphamaledriveshard He brakes later and harder and put the power down earlier. His corner speed seems about the same as the other GT40s.

[@benbristow8412]

The move against the red GT @3:31 was perfectly orchestrated, feinted the move, made him go deep, came back for the ol switcharoo out the corner, textbook stuff, this guy knows what he’s doing 👏🏻

[@mfd1022]

He ain’t called Mr Le Mans for nothing!

[@benbristow8412]

@@mfd1022 most definitely

[@mariapires7170]

@@mfd1022 The best endurance driver ever!

[@TheNecromancer6666]

@@mariapires7170 Alongside Leob, Röhrl, Ogier one of the greatest ever. In his late 40s he was still fast in an 900hp Hybrid Prototype with double the Downforce of an F1 cars of the time...

[@showtime951]

"...this guy knows what he’s doing" ben bristow, you are the master of the understatement!

[@marcushaw4851]

He really showed his class when he was mixing it with the other GT40s

[@Pablo668]

That was awesome! Being able to zip around Goodwood in a GT40, you've won at lifes game.

[@keithwhittygmail]

That's an experienced driver against amateurs. Every corner I watched him set them all up and take the different line and use it to catapult past. Amazing driving.

[@Weird_Cat_Thingy]

No I think it was mostly a power advantage

[@fordgt5383]

@@Weird_Cat_Thingy unlikely, considering he was also racing against other GT40s, so i belive he was skilled, i don't deny that the Ford GT40 did have the advantage over most other cars though

[@Tumid1]

@@fordgt5383 All Ford GT's are not equal in spec or preparation. He could easily have 100+ hp on a similar car. This "race" was like having a professional football team playing a high school team... well.... they were all wearing the same shoes. This is a professional racing a bunch of dentists & IT execs "racing" their extremely valuable investments vs. a "hired gun" in a car he doesn't have to pay if he crashes it.

[@bobkovach1426]

Acceleration out the Wazoo plays a major part.

[@dehaviland7645]

What impressed me the most is his driving in clear air

[@paulwintermute1495]

Right? All the traffic was definitely slowing that beast down.

[@cyrussheets4450]

You get to see all 3 aspects here. The car, he mostly just overpowers the back end of the field on straights and just has the speed. The driver, near the middle of the field he's starting to actually line up entries to get exits and he's beating guys on skill. Both, once he hits clean air you see what a finely tuned machine can do with a finally tuned human.

[@thatfordguy2268]

No annoying announcers just the sweet sound of a Ford V8 screaming around Goodwood. Music, sweet music. 😎👍

[@M-oneeleven-M111]

This is some of the best driving I've ever seen consideration for other not taking risks, but also beating the life out the LOUD pedal making the beautiful car so what it was built for. Awesome thank you for sharing this with us 😃👍

[@PG-20]

You give a Le Mans winner a Le Mans winning car, he’s gonna do well

[@MrGaryGG48]

I would think that's just a bit frustrating to be pushing your Lotus or Lola as hard as you can on an entertaining little "day at the track" and this monster blasts past you like you're tied to the fence post! Every time traffic collected in front of him, he just slipped by on one side or the other and disappeared in the distance! It kind of reminded me of the disparity between the small classes at Le Mans that race for the "Efficiency Trophy" and the Ford, Ferrari, and Porsches, etc. running for the "big money."

[@PG-20]

@@MrGaryGG48 If your car can corner well and be quick on the straight, those little Lotus's and Lola's don't stand a chance.

[@r1273m]

I remember one of these passing me on the M6 just a few days before the 70 mph limit came in, 1965 ish I think. I was doing about 85 and he went by faster than anything I have ever seen before or since. About that time there was an outcry about Ford testing these on the M1.

[@TheChaztor]

now that is a memory to cherish! Wish you could replay it back for us.

[@feydespiel.]

It was the daytona cobra that actually made the headlines...it was tested on a newly opened section of the m1... in the early morning...185mph...Jack sears driving...

[@stevetheodore_specialtycars]

A true masterclass in traffic management/passing by a master of the art. Bravo! 10/10

[@stephenholland5930]

Now that's what I call proper racing! You can keep ya F1 parade. Thanks for posting.

[@mp4boy]

Could tell he was moving from the track side. But this onboard is mental! Can't wait for next year!

[@1958johndeere620]

Don't forget some of those cars are not going full race mode. I'm not detracting from the drivers skills, he obviously is very talented. Some of these guys are racing for fun, with a car that is not easily replaceable.

[@mcstaal]

The nine time Le Mans winner is a talent...... are you out of your mind?

[@1958johndeere620]

@@mcstaal Did I say he had no talent? No, re read my post. Some of the competition had no intentions of forcing any issue, blocking, or racing hard.

[@butkusfan23]

@@1958johndeere620 by the same token, the driver in this GT40 could have been much more aggressive as well. I think we all know by now that this is not a cutthroat racing series where the drivers are putting their cars and bodies on the line for glory and huge sponsorships.

[@scottimusgarrett15]

I could use the wonderful sound of that Ford V-8 to meditate to...

[@JaredR1996]

Old school racing at its finest 👏👏👏

[@Porsche996driver]

Tom Kristensen - legendary! Watched him win a race in the Audi R8 at Laguna Seca! Holds many records - we see why! 🏁

[@mrmoss149]

Loved watching the wiper arm flutter at speed. Awesome footage. Glorious soundtrack. Thank you

[@Defcon666]

I like how coming off the corners it becomes a drag race and that GT40 just pulls away !

[@markhill9275]

The exit traction and speed of that thing is brutal!

[@jameshutchins3396]

That car was hooking up amazingly well. So smooth

[@rayowens4355]

He must have had 100 more hp than the rest the way he pulled past down the straights. But the skill of the driver is incredible! Awesome video!

[@skyraider87]

Nah, that's just a GT40 for you. Absolute monster of a car

[@chadhosmer9357]

Nothing better than the sweet sound of a finely tuned Ford V8 engine!

[@cavscout62]

I don’t even have to watch, just listening to that Ford Music is such a Treat. Such a unique sound a well built HiPo Ford has.

[@johnburgess5534]

What a great lesson. Overtakes, corner lines, gear changes, throttle control. Thanks.

[@bbayerit]

I love to witness vintage race cars being run. I especially love to see a real pro ply his trade without placing his car or others in danger of touching ... watching and listening to TK feather the throttle around traffic was sheer music to my ears. Great video.

[@biebersydney1999]

Jeez, that's impressive. Great car and even better driving. Seems like he and the car were in a completely different class, passing everything with ease.

[@jazzy3445]

Very impressive. Even the windscreen wiper is waving madly at him.

[@apelikemenace]

It's very clear that this is a gentlemen's race, everyone is letting him pass However, there is also no question that Tom & the Ford are faster than most women I've met in Las Vegas.

[@showtime951]

I like your style.

[@andrewsherwood5341]

I don't know enough about racing history to say what the best racing car ever is, but I'm confident in saying that the GT40 is the coolest

[@graemeholland1315]

for the first half I was thinking "yeah, he's undoubtedly quick, but he also have a massive car advantage. until he got some clean air." SMH this dude is insane.

[@marcodevries4481]

Raw freakin power, a crap ton of skill, and balls of steel.

[@jamespink4202]

I am fortunate to have passengered with Tom, in this car, at this track, in the damp... Much looking out the side windows! 🤣

[@srt8rocketship241]

427 in the backseat , hang on. These machines owned Lemans.

[@alanjm1234]

Very nice of you to let all those drivers hear that sound!

[@Peter57808]

Definitely no double clutch paddle shift there!! Also some well thought moderation to preserve the car and those being passed. Many would have stuffed it the inside without regard for the consequences.

[@randomskid]

What a beautifully visceral-sounding engine!

[@timmulrenan8464]

Very gentlemanly race with other cars pulling over to let him pass. No damage, no injurys, makes a lot of sense.

[@danielkavanaugh4544]

Wow the sound, The visual I could listen and watch all day... I can feel the vibes throughout my body OH wowie

[@nunchucknads3644]

I’ve attended several 24 hours at LeMans over decades (the races there in the ‘70’s were climatic). Several years ago, went back to the bucolic countryside of Le Maine region of western France to watch the races. There was a huge tent set up by US car manufacturers and inside were literal treasures of past LeMans winners, including those GT 40’s that won #1-2-3 in ‘66. Unreal. Everyone in that exhibit had their jaws drop to the ground. There were also several Vettes that raced there for many years. Worth many visits if you have the chance. Thousands of car nuts from mostly Europe watching 24 hours of the races. Lots of beer swilling too….

[@rikusturck5988]

Textbook driving, absolute poetry in motion, working with your machine and not trying to be it's master.

[@stephenburgess3612]

Fantastic driving by TK!

[@jackhouston357]

love watching him in the Galaxie !!

[@alsheatonism]

That my friend, is the power of power. All those years of endurance racing have left their mark. Great man.

[@alisonwoodyatt2591]

An choir of v8s singing at the top of their voices. Every note perfect. Magic .

[@darrylsjodin7184]

Wow! I could watch that all day! 😃

[@konstantinepope]

I love how most of the other cars in the field just take a look in the mirrors, see a GT40 and just move out of the racing line.....legends treated as legends

[@gbjoo8]

Det er stilrent må man sige Tom, mere af det tak

[@zhangsenpai263]

Ken Miles was with you on that lap, Tom!

[@paulglock3298]

No histrionics- just smooth- no unnecessary motion or aggression...quick, but patient, then bounce.

[@johnhart125]

Whst a great ride, The Lady in Red loves to go fast and sings so sweet!

[@KensGarage1]

"Please enjoy this snapshot of the fightback and listen to that sonorous V8 sing." I did just that! That is a spectacular video. Thanks for posting.

[@LEFTY..-]

Did you see his wiper about ready to take off? These really do fly low lol. Love it so much as big Ford enthusiast

[@JerGol]

Utterly glorious. Disregard this old chap at your peril!

[@nahuel3256]

the penultima lap without traffic was impecable!

[@alphamaledriveshard]

Interesting. I think he's got a really short final drive. You can hear him bouncing off of the limiter. That is one tough engine.

[@tedium37]

Lots of torque too. He uses the full range letting the relatively large displacement V8 pull him through corners without needlessly dropping a gear.

[@darrowherd3212]

That was third gear. They only had 4 gears original. Redline in third is like 135-150 odd depending on how long diff and trans gears are. I'm gonna guess 150 because those cars are supposed to hit 198-207 flat out.

[@markatr6]

absolute FOCUS, im sure any of us mortals would possibly be distracted by the beautiful cars, scenery, or not look far enough ahead for a split second, and of course, thats all it takes to fail...great, mesmerizing stuff !

[@billoddiea]

Inch perfect, never punching into corners...just the perfect amount of trail off feather...smooth as.

[@oktc68]

Old girl looked very stable, sounded glorious and scythed thru the field. A pleasure to watch.

[@matthewthroup6270]

Great driving and very enjoyable to watch. Every time time I see Goodwood race circuit it reminds me that’s where Bruce McLaren crashed and lost his life.

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

Yep. That’s the way Tom. If I wanted to watch a parade, there’s always Christmas.

[@02hreblue30]

Absolutely a beast. Best handling GT40 I have seen

[@evilrooster9960]

Jim: "Oh Boy, here I go winnin' again" Lol LOVE IT! He blew the doors off those guys!! Hopefully one day i'll be able to challenge him myself!

[@peterpiper_203]

Awesome Thanks for bringing us along

[@jasonmoskowitz246]

Driving a car like that with skill like that must feel incredible

[@dennisyoung4631]

He’s getting the *F.O.R.D.* sound, here - that high-pitched screamy noise!

[@richardmodglin3900]

Yes.....that Ford has long legs with its gearing and its powerband revs to the moon!

[@SteelR4t]

Very impressive stuff. I have to say though, that the like I gave this video would have been earned from the sound track alone.

[@The-Enthusiast47]

The sound of the gods!

[@scootosan]

The track has sections for slingshot passing and set up in those areas are key. The Audio is also Gold.

[@ShaneH5150]

This is beautiful to watch. Intense yet calming at the same time.

[@jimcondray4632]

Masterful driving, putting the power to the ground on corner exits, must have been great driving that thing!

[@tacticaldelusion]

Goodwood is just amazing, look at it. It's like stepping back in time to the golden era of motorsports, truly remarkable.

[@michaelflowers5712]

What a joy to have watched him race passing cars day & night! Thanks Tom, endurance legend!!

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Thanks for explaining how this car "started" in 18th. Clearly one of the fastest cars and best drivers on the track that day.

[@GLRESTOMOD]

Phenomenal! That sound is intoxicating!

[@frankt5682]

Had to put the headphones on and turn it way up. Yes, the driving was excellent. But the real treat for me was to listen to the wonderful song that the engine was playing. No car stereo can beat that.

[@jameswilson461]

Ive been just the other side of the pits at GW and the sound of three GT40s launching down the main straight is incredible! An impressive sight now, imagine what it must have been like in the mid 60s. Rocket ships.

[@florianwolf9380]

A stunning car and a marvellous driver, who only knows one way - forward, as fast as possible. A masterclass in classic car racing !

[@djben06]

Absolutely sensational driving! And what a noise, love it

[@alistairmills7608]

Beautifully driven.

[@Medic397]

Man, sure enjoyed that!

[@Will_14_years_ago]

No aids ,minimal downforce ,big engines. Real men here ! Respect to all the diversity of race car driving, but this is what I like.

[@BMrider75]

Superb. The engine sound is music to my ears. Smiles

[@curtisboxill-boxmansbuilds2980]

That was awesome to watch!!,the sound of the engine!!!

[@derekdee9592]

Awesome display of car craft ! Wonderful machine.

[@cyberiusrex2343]

That is some dam fine driving

[@mikemoore7245]

Awesome acceleration! The wiper was telling the story when it came to speed. Passing other racers like a Boss.

[@michaelcauser474]

Incredible. If I could only drive at half of this ability I would be a very happy man.

[@modelcars9493]

Fantastic Driver 🏁🏁🏁👏👏👏 Complimant from Thomas 👍👍👍

[@alanhearne6733]

Awesome! Best soundtrack ever...

[@randykintzley5923]

That's fun to watch. Masterful driving. The engine is happily stretching out and going for a real run. Not the momentary punch of power that you typically see before guys get spooked and back off. (rightfully so)

[@johnstenger7515]

Sounds like he's driven Spec Miata before. No fear on the revs. Making the car do what it was built for, not sit in a museum! Love it!

[@jeffjames4064]

The sound of that car would make Godzilla step back.👍 I ran the audio through my high end stereo... And grinned for the next ten minutes.