Ford Mustang set to go racing

Ford was on a roll at the launch of the new seventh generation Mustang, not only revealing the new 2.3 and GT models, but also the new Dark Horse along with a range of racing Stangs too. 

These include a Mustang GT3 racer that will line up at the Daytona 24 hour race next year, a GT4 entrant, a new NASCAR and Ford’s entry for the Supercar series. There will also be a  NHRA Factory X racer and a pair of uprated, track-only Dark Horse models. 

Ford says the Mustang Dark Horse S is designed for the weekend track day enthusiast while Mustang Dark Horse R has been developed for racing. 

“We’re taking this all-new Mustang to competition racing and the very definition of a Dark Horse is the perfect fit to introduce this vehicle to the Mustang brand,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “With our race program development underway, we’re confident we have the right car for success.”

The Dark Horse S is ‘a stripped-down version’ of the production vehicle with all the ‘non-essential parts and trim’ being binned. In goes an FIA-certified safety cage, race seat and harness and a race steering wheel with quick disconnect. Other safety items include electrical disconnects and a fire suppression system.

Also included for Dark Horse S is a pit speed limiter and a data and acquisition display system. A single passenger seat is optional. There’s an adjustable rear wing, an upgraded brake package and Multimatic DSSV dampers bringing the ability to adjust ride height and camber settings. Going further, the Dark Horse R has been type approved for a single make race series and comes with strategic seam welding, a fuel cell for increased range, and Ford Performance Parts wheels.

The GT3 IMSA Mustang has been created by Ford Performance and Multimatic and is powered by a 5.4-litre V8 based on the Coyote. The GT4 is said to be eligible for global GT4 classes in IMSA, SRO and FIA GT.

A new version of the Mustang will debut next season in the Australian Supercars series, and in coming years newly designed models will debut in the NASCAR Cup series and NHRA Factory X racing.