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 Ford Mustang muscle car.
The 81st Goodwood Members’ Meeting featured a grid of 30 Ford Mustangs from 1965 and 1966. Many well-known motorsport stars participated 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 Le Mans-entered Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 up the famous Goodwood Hillclimb last year.
“This was my very first time at this racetrack, and I was at the Festival of Speed last year, which was already amazing,” said Rockenfeller. “To witness the passion, the cars, and the fearless drivers pushing those old cars to their limits on such an iconic track is simply incredible.”
Rockenfeller acknowledged that he learned a lot from the race, despite finishing in 20th place after qualifying in 15th out of the 30 Ford Mustangs.
“I wasn’t able to match the pace, and I didn’t push too hard because I didn’t want to damage the car,” he explained. “But I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and I hope to return to Goodwood more often.”
During the IMSA season, Rockenfeller has been sharing the #64 Mustang with Harry Tincknell and Christopher Mies, who competes in the Endurance Cup. This new-for-2024 Ford Mustang has allowed him to compare the different eras of the iconic Ford vehicle.
“It’s clear that there have been significant developments in the automotive industry and race cars,” Rockenfeller commented. “The sound and appearance of the older cars are truly remarkable. Our modern cars are quite different due to advancements in weight, tires, and other factors. It’s challenging to make a direct comparison. I have great respect for those who pushed those cars to their limits in the past, as well as those who do so today. Driving these cars is no easy task.”
When asked to participate in the Ken Miles Cup, Rockenfeller eagerly accepted the opportunity. He had been at Goodwood last year and had heard from other drivers, such as Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson, and Tom Kristensen, about how incredible the experience would be.
“I didn’t want to miss this chance,” he said.