Only a few hours had passed since the Manthey-kitted Porsche (992) 911 GT3 RS had posted an official Nürburgring time—a blistering 6:45.389—when Ford posted a rebuttal with their own Mustang GTD Competition, which clocked an even faster 6:40.835. The timing (pun intended) of these announcements, is surely of no coincidence. Naturally, a number of new milestones were also set across a variety of metrics with these impressive new lap times.
Within the Porsche hierarchy, the Manthey GT3 RS is nearly 4 seconds faster than the regular GT3 RS, which set a time of 6:49.328 back in 2022. This also moves it up the overall production car rankings, where it now sits fourth amongst its contemporaries. The Manthey Porsche (991) 911 GT2 RS, retains its title as the fastest production Porsche at the Green Hell. Relatively speaking, the new feat is even more impressive for the Yanks, with the Ford Mustang GTD Competition now the fastest Made-in-America production car by more than 8 seconds, besting previous category leader, the Corvette ZRX1. The Competition version is also some 11 seconds faster than the standard GTD.
As a bit of a technicality, the Ford Mustang GTD Competition and the Corvette ZRX1 were designated as part of the prototype/pre-production class, as they were not yet retailing at the time of their ‘Ring runs. Officially, this means that Ford didn’t beat Porsche on the same playing field so to speak, but whether Porsche will take solace in that, or if Ford will be any less ecstatic from this outcome, remains to be seen. What’s sure to bring even more beef to this rivalry is the eventual release of the upcoming turbocharged 992.2 GT3 RS, which will certainly be able to far surpass its current 520 hp and subsequently reduce the 300+ hp handicap it currently has against the Ford.
The “base” Ford Mustang GTD was bonkers to begin with, but we’re told the Competition package enhances the car’s performance significantly, with a retuned engine allowing the car to exceed its original 815 hp by some margin. Of course, a diet is part of the equation too, with a liberal application of lightweight parts used virtually anywhere that mass could be shaved off, including the suspension, wheels, and more. Aerodynamics have also been tweaked to account for the overall changes, with new front dive planes, a more aggressive rear wing and aero-discs on the rear wheels maximizing downforce and minimizing drag. All of this, Ford says, will be completely street-legal—and like all Manthey kits, keeping within OEM allowances—when the car is slated for release later this year.
Without further ado, here are both cars’ in-car footage for their respective benchmark-setting laps. That’s why you’re here, right?
