Boris Said Tests Mustang GT3 At Portimao

The FIA driver categorisation process is a complex one. But one longstanding aspect of the grading process is that experienced professional drivers are downgraded when they hit certain ages.

Despite this, it does rank as a surprise to have found now-61-year-old Boris Said sitting in full Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Xfinity Series overalls today in Portimao, awaiting his turn at the wheel of Proton Competition’s #77 Ford Mustang GT3.

Said was present on the first day of the two-day Goodyear test in Portugal this week. Speaking to DSC, Said relayed that his presence was somewhat of a surprise to him too.

“I was coming through an airport with my family a few days ago,” he explained, “when my phone rang with a Detroit number that I didn’t recognise. I thought I’d better take the call, and I am glad I did. It was Jim Farley, (the CEO of Ford Motor Company), asking whether or not I was available for this test.

“Of course, I said: ‘yes’. However, I will admit that I am a bit shocked to be here. I can’t wait to properly try out this car. I have never raced here before. So the only track time I have had was taking my rental car around before the track officially opened yesterday morning.”

In addition to his career spent on the NASCAR circuit, Said has a wealth of previous sportscar and GT racing to draw from. His last notable stint was a four-race program with SunEnergy1 Racing in IMSA’s GTD class in 2017.

Said ran his first laps at the very end of the session on Tuesday and emerged with a smile, but kept his feedback for the Proton/Ford Performance and Multimatic technicians. He is one of a number of pro and amateur drivers sampling the new Mustang as Ford and Proton’s 2024 FIA WEC plans come together.

Should he drive with Proton next season, Said would return to Le Mans as a driver for the first time in 30 years. His one and only Le Mans start came in 1994 as part of Callaway’s Corvette effort in GT2. That will better the current record of a 21-year gap between starts, currently held Jean Alesi (1989 – 2010).

Watch this space…

Mustang on-track image courtesy of Tim Creswick