Ford Launches Mustang Single-Make Series for Dark Horse R

Photo: Ford

Ford Performance has taken the wraps off its Mustang Dark Horse R, a turn-key race car that will compete in the newly confirmed Mustang Challenge single-make series beginning next year.

As previously revealed by Sportscar365, the Detroit manufacturer will launch an all-Mustang series, sanctioned by IMSA, which will feature a 10-12-race calendar in conjunction with five to six yet-to-be-announced North American sports car race weekends.

All cars will compete on racing tires developed specifically for Mustang Challenge by Michelin.

“Mustang Dark Horse R owners will have the opportunity to race and test their driving skills with other Mustang enthusiasts at some of the world’s most incredible tracks,” said Ford Performance motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook.

Each round of the IMSA-sanctioned series, which will be managed by the Ford Performance Racing School, consists of two practice sessions, one qualifying session and two sprint races.

Additionally, there will be contingency payouts to top finishers in each race, as well as an overall series champion at the end of the season.

“The new Mustang Challenge series is a perfect addition to our IMSA family and we are grateful to our longtime partners at Ford for trusting us to be the sanctioning body for this spectacular new platform,” said IMSA President John Doonan.

“When I was a little boy going to the race track, I vividly remember the rumble of the Mustang race cars and their V8 power, so imagining a full field of Dark Horse Rs charging into Turn 1 for the first time on an IMSA race weekend will bring back a flood of memories and be awe inspiring.”

The Mustang Dark Horse R, powered by a new, fourth-generation 5.0-liter Coyote V8, is the third Dark Horse-based racing derivative to be unveiled this summer, joining its place alongside the Mustang GT3 and Mustang GT4.

“Mustang Dark Horse R bridges the gap between Dark Horse and Mustang GT3 and GT4,” said Rushbrook.

“Production-based Mustang vehicles have raced from the very beginning, all the way back to winning the 1964 Tour de France, even.

“Dark Horse R offers our passionate customers not just an attainable, factory-built race car, but also a racing series to compete with other Mustang enthusiasts.”

The car is designed for track use only but also shares several components with the road-going version.

These include a Flat Rock Assembly Plant-provided body, 500+ horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine, Tremec 3160 manual transmission, Torsen limited slip differential with 3.73 final drive ratio, aero and Brembo rear brake calipers/rotors. It’s also upgraded with a wide array of track-focused equipment.

Pricing for Mustang Dark Horse R starts at $145,000 USD. Deliveries will begin in preparation for the start of the Mustang Challenge season in 2024.

Photo: Ford

Photo: Ford

Photo: Ford

Photo: Ford

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