Ford Confirms Mustang Cup Australia Launch for 2026

Photo: Ford

Ford Performance has confirmed the expansion of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R platform with the launch of Mustang Cup Australia for 2026.

As previously reported by Sportscar365, the single-make series, which made its global debut earlier this month with the Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational, will expand outside of its already established U.S.-based Challenge and Cup series next year.

Mustang Cup Australia will run on the Shannons SpeedSeries weekend under Motorsport Australia sanction and through Ford Performance’s regional licensing partner Driving Solutions, which has a long-standing relationship with Ford Australia.

Each race weekend will feature up to three 30-minute practice sessions, two separate 15-minute qualifying sessions and two 40-minute races.

Unique to Mustang Cup Australia will be the ability to have different drivers in a single vehicle over the course of the weekend, allowing sessions to be split between two drivers in the same Mustang Dark Horse R.

“The Mustang Cup will fill an important role in Australian motorsport, closing the gap between entry-level cars and professional series such as Supercars or GT3 competition,” said Ford Performance global one-make series manager Chris Ward.

“The Mustang Dark Horse R is the latest in racing-based Ford race cars.

“It is thrilling for us as Ford Performance to bring the series ‘Down Under.’ Dating back to the Australian Touring Car Championship, Ford vehicles have been found on racing circuits around Australia, since the early 1960s.

“Today, the Mustang competes in various series across the continent and is a growing part of the racing culture.

“These include the Mustang GT4 in Monochrome GT4 Australia and the Mustang Supercar in the Repco Supercars Championship.

“Adding the Mustang Cup Australia will give a feeder system not only to us at Ford but also throughout most of the continent’s motorsport landscape.

“We look forward to sharing more details in the coming months.”

Australian Cameron McLeod swept the inaugural Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational, an event that saw participation from a number of other Australian, as well as New Zealand-based drivers.

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