MARS: Rising to the Challenge and Through the Ranks

By: Luca Mars

I started in go-karts when I was six years old and continued to perform well there throughout my career. I was never a fan of the open-wheeled stuff, and I always knew my calling was in sports car racing.

When I got the call from Dean Martin to test at Daytona, I jumped right on that opportunity. From the first race on, I knew these were the series I wanted to be in.

I was really excited to try the new Mustang GT4 platform coming into my third year. I knew Ford Performance would make a good car, because we’ve been fast the last couple of years. I got my first test in it a little before the Roar at Daytona, and I felt reassured by its performance. We were lined up to have a great car to race, and we were fast in all the sessions.

On the last lap of that first race, I knew Mustang was strong on the straight and that I needed to have a good run to the bus-stop.

If I did that, it was mine at the line. I had to draft and time my move just right to pop out in the end. I like to think about my moves before they happen to ensure I have the best outcome when it comes time to execute.

Then to get the double-win for Mustang GT4, it was so special. When I was crossing the line, I was speechless.

The Mustang has been strong and fast. It’s a challenge to get the setup down the first year, for any car, but we’re continually improving week-to-week. We’ve been troubleshooting what works and what doesn’t, and I feel like the tracks coming up on the schedule will cater to the strengths of our Mustang GT4.

All the Mustangs in GT4 have been performing really well, which is so good to see.

There is not a lot of aero wash with GT4 cars like GT3, so you need to run bumper-to-bumper with your competitors which makes for a lot tighter racing.

The best GT4 drivers in the country are running the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and Michelin Pilot Challenge series – even the top GT3 drivers compete. It’s super competitive across the board, and they are the most competitive GT4 series here – if not in the world.

Leading the VP championship is giving us high hopes for the rest of the year. One of my favorite characteristics about the car has been the long-run pace – it’s incredible. I’m always there at the end to fight for that last position in the final 20 minutes, when all the other cars are starting to fall off.

The goal is to progress into the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in Mustang GT3. But for now, I’m very happy where I am and the progress I’m making toward that goal. I’m getting better and better each race and progressing a whole bunch.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to just come out and compete, wherever we go, against some of the best in the world. I’m very thankful for it for this, and to be able to do it in Ford Mustang.

My dad, Brett, used to race Mustang 302s a little bit when I was a kid, so I’ve always looked up to that. It was always a dream of mine to race Mustangs like him. It’s such an awesome brand backed by all the support from the fans.

It’s also the manufacturer support, being able to go down to Charlotte, N.C. and drive on the simulator – it’s just been unreal. It’s an honor to represent their brand and it’s so motivating to have the level of support I get from them.