By Shaun Summerfield
When I heard that Scott Dixon was confirmed to drive a Ford GT in the 12 Hours of Sebring next month, I will confess to giving a little fist pump.
It wasn't a 'Petrie-Pump', just a subtle satisfied air-punch.
My happiness wasn't due to Dixon adding another Sports Car drive to his busy season as defending IndyCar champ, but the hint this gives to what he will be doing over a weekend in mid-June.
50 years after they conquered the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford are back, and conveniently Dixon's IndyCar team Chip Ganassi Racing, are running the four-car entry.
Dixon told Newshub earlier this month that he is keen to be a part of the Endurance Team, today's announcement is the strongest hint yet that this could happen.
"We've almost got the deal done," Dixon said at the time when looking forward to the endurance schedule.
Scott and I have chatted a couple of times about the about the meaning of Le Mans in 2016, 50-years after Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon drove the All Black GT40 (pictured above) to victory at the 24 hour race ahead of compatriot Denny Hulme.
The importance of the anniversary is not lost on Ford, their four cars (pictured below) will be numbered 66, 67, 68 and 69; the years Ford won at Le Mans.
Being trackside to watch Earl Bamber win last year in front of 260,000 fans was nothing short of incredible; this year WEC Champ Brendon Hartley is hot favourite to claim overall honours.
Should Dixon end up racing in the GT-E class, it will be epic – not just from a historical point of view – but because he will be racing against Bamber (Porsche) and Richie Stanaway (Aston Martin).
What a way to mark the 50th anniversary of the first time New Zealand conquered the world's greatest Sports car race.
Newshub.