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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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