√Ford Mustang Dark Horse R one-make racing series launches

A race-ready version of the new Ford Mustang – the Dark Horse R – has been unveiled overnight ahead of a one-make series that could head Down Under.

US auto giant Ford has launched a one-make racing series based on the new Mustang Dark Horse R – a track special version of the road car of the same name.

And if there is strong enough demand it could head Down Under.

In the US overnight, Ford announced the Mustang Challenge will hit circuits in North America from next year.

The Mustang Dark Horse R is powered by the same engine in the road car – a fourth-generation version of the 5.0-litre ‘Coyote’ V8 – but comes with hardcore racing upgrades to make it ready for motorsport.

The Dark Horse R is the third dedicated V8 is the third Ford Mustang derivative dedicated to motorsport, following the Mustang GT3 and Mustang GT4.

“Mustang Dark Horse R bridges the gap between Dark Horse and Mustang GT3 and GT4,” Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports, said in a media statement.

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

Ford’s top motorsport executive said the Mustang Dark Horse R would be available for aspiring racers to purchase via its performance-car partner Multimatic in the US.

For now, the executive said, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse will only be built in left-hand-drive, however right-hand-drive versions could be a possibility if there was demand in markets such as Australia.

Ford says the Dark Horse R is designed for track use only, however it shares “several components” with the road-going version – such as the 500-horsepower version of the 5.0-litre V8, Tremec 3160 six-speed manual transmission, a Torsen limited slip differential with 3.73 final drive ratio, Brembo brakes and additional aerodynamic aids.

The full list of changes include the following:

Exterior
Front and rear tow hooks
Reinforced jacking points
Underbody tie down hoops

Interior
Recaro FIA racing seat
Sparco quick-release steering wheel
Sparco FIA racing harness
Sparco FIA fire suppression system
Safecraft FIA safety nets
Driver keypad and button controls
MoTeC data display and logging system
Fuel cell

Engine and transmission
Upgraded oil system
Upgraded transmission cooling
Upgraded differential cooling
Borla racing exhaust system
Ford Performance oil pan

Chassis
Roll cage
Multimatic DSSV dampers
Adjustable front camber plates
Adjustable anti-roll bars
Select seam welding

Brakes/Wheels/Tyres
Performance ABS
Brembo race calipers – Front
Brembo race rotors – Front
Brembo race pads
Race brake cooling ducts
Ford Performance Parts R1 Flow-Formed Wheels (19” x 10.5” front, 19” x 11” rear)
Bespoke Michelin 19” slick race tire for Mustang Challenge, sold separately
MSI wheel studs and open lug nuts

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