What's all this about?

Forty-nine years ago, Ford obliterated the competition at Le Mans with its GT40 racer, sealing a 1-2-3 finish that has gone down in history. Well, the Blue Oval is roaring back into action at the French circuit.

Really? Will it be there this year?

Not for competition, although its GT supercar-based racer was revealed at this edition of the 24-hour endurance classic by the company's top-ranking dignitaries Bill Ford, Mark Fields and race team owner Chip Ganassi, among others. However, it will be competing there in 2016 - 50 years since that legendary victory.

Brilliant, what are the details of the new race version?

It will be powered by the 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine and prepared by Chip Ganassi Racing, not just for Le Mans but for a full season in the World Endurance Championship, and other race series too. The driver line-up has yet to be confirmed but you can be sure the pros will be knocking down Ford's door to bag a seat.

Can the GT really win Le Mans 2016 in the face of established competition?

Audi, Porsche, Nissan and Toyota will certainly be tough competition, but given the original GT40 was developed purely to beat Ferrari at its own game on the track - and then emphatically did so in 1966 - we're not betting against it. Brilliant as the race car that was revealed looks, we'd love to see it in Gulf colours, though...