40 Drivers Set for Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

A total of 40 drivers are set for next weekend’s Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Ford Performance released the bumper entry list on Friday, which is highlighted by 15 Mustang Dark Horse Rs in the top Dark Horse class, including all six Ford Performance Junior Team drivers.

It includes inaugural and defending Mustang Challenge champion Robert Noaker, along with fellow Junior Team drivers Jenson Altzman, Erik Evans, Sam Paley, Marco Signoretti and Nathan Vanspringel.

They are joined by Mustang Challenge regulars Sandy Satullo (Robert Noaker Racing), Colin Harrison (TechSport), Will Lucas (Automatic Racing) as well as several one-off entries.

Australians David Wall and Cameron McLeod will make their Le Mans debuts, while Matt Nicoll-Jones of Academy Motorsport will also take part in the pair of support races as well.

Nineteen cars make up the Dark Horse Legends class, for drivers 45 and older, including a number of domestic regulars and international one-offs.

Series stalwarts Tom Tait, Sephen Vajda and Alex Bachoura are joined by the likes of GT4 Australia driver Andrew Miedecke, countrymen Keith Kassulke and Hadrian Morrall and Kiwi Tim Miles.

Bruce Myrehn, the father of renowned sports car racing/open wheel commentator Ryan Myrehn, will also make his Le Mans debut at the wheel of a LAP Motorsports-entered Dark Horse R.

A total of five cars are entered in the Dark Horse Stars class, including all-rounder Tanner Foust, Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley, Frankie Muniz, Chelsea DeNofa and a Academy-entered Mustang shared by Chris Harris (Race 1) and Sir Chris Hoy (Race 2).

Dark Horse Rs arrived in Europe through a two-pronged logistical approach, including loading a Boeing 747 Freighter for U.S. teams (pictured above), as well as sea-freighted cars for drivers electing to rent machinery for the July 11-14 event.

Track action kicks off on Wednesday with two 45-minute practice sessions, followed by qualifying on Thursday to set the grid for the first of two feature races.

Race 1, a 45-minute contest, takes the green on Friday at 11 a.m. CET, with Race 2 on Saturday June 14 at 8:25 a.m.

Both races will be streamed live on Ford Performance’s YouTube channel, with commentary from Radio Le Mans.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John