Credit: Kieran Cleeves/PA Media Assignments
Mike Rockenfeller, a driver for Ford Multimatic in the IMSA series, made his debut at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting in the Ken Miles Cup. This special event celebrated the 60th anniversary of the iconic sports car Ford Mustang.
The 81st edition of the Goodwood Members’ Meeting featured a grid of 30 Ford Mustangs from 1965 and 1966. Many well-known racing stars took part in the thrilling race.
Rockenfeller, who also competes in the GTD Pro category of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, shared the #63 Mustang with his teammate, John Davison.
After the 45-minute race, Rockenfeller expressed his excitement about his first experience at the Members’ Meeting. He had previously driven the Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, entered in Le Mans, up the famous Goodwood Hillclimb last year.
“This was my first time at this circuit, and I was at the Festival of Speed last year, which was already amazing,” Rockenfeller said. “To witness the passion, the cars, and the fearless drivers pushing these old cars to the limit on an iconic track is simply incredible.”
Rockenfeller acknowledged that he learned a lot from the race, despite finishing in 20th place after qualifying 15th out of the 30 Ford Mustangs.
“I couldn’t keep up with the pace and didn’t push too hard because I didn’t want to damage the car,” he explained. “But I really enjoyed the experience and hope to come back to Goodwood more often.”
During the IMSA season, Rockenfeller has shared the #64 Mustang with Harry Tincknell and Christopher Mies, who competes in the Endurance Cup. This new Ford Mustang, launched in 2024, allowed him to compare the different eras of the iconic Ford vehicle.
“There have been significant advances in the automotive industry and in racing cars,” commented Rockenfeller. “The sound and appearance of old cars are truly remarkable. Our modern cars are quite different due to advances in weight, tires, and other factors. It is challenging to make a direct comparison. I have great respect for those who pushed these cars to the limit in the past, as well as those who do so today. Driving these cars is not an easy task.”
When invited to participate in the Ken Miles Cup, Rockenfeller promptly accepted the opportunity. He was at Goodwood last year and heard from other drivers, such as Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson, and Tom Kristensen, how amazing the experience would be.
“I didn’t want to miss this chance,” he said.
