Now here's a 500+ horsepower race car we certainly wouldn't mind hitting the track in! Check out the new Mustang Dark Horse R from Ford Performance. This is the track-only version of the Mustang Dark Horse, designed specifically to compete in the all-new Mustang Challenge spec racing series. The series is just for Mustang Dark Horse R and sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).
2024 Mustang Dark Horse R
The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse R is powered by a new, fourth-generation 5.0-liter Coyote V8. It's 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," stated Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “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 Dark Horse R is based on the Ford Mustang Dark Horse - which is the most track-capable 5.0-liter V8 street-legal Mustang ever.
“Mustang Dark Horse R has been developed with Mustang racing enthusiasts top of mind,” said Jim Owens, Ford Mustang Marketing manager. “Ford Performance leaned into countless areas of expertise developed through years of racing the Mustang and honed in on an aggressive yet approachable package for customers to pick up and play with.”
Photo Credit: Ford.
While the Dark Horse R is designed for track use only, it shares several components with the road-going version including the 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.
The Dark Horse R is also upgraded with a wide array of track-focused equipment:
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
Powertrain
- 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
Photo Credit: Ford.
Brakes/Wheels/Tires
- 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
Pricing for Mustang Dark Horse R starts at $145,000. Deliveries will begin in preparation for the start of the Mustang Challenge season in 2024.
Mustang Challenge Series
The single-make Mustang Challenge series kicks off in 2024. You can check out the recently released five-round, 10-race calendar here. All cars will compete on racing slicks developed specifically for Mustang Challenge by series partners at Michelin. The series will compete at some of the most iconic tracks in North America, including Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, Road America, COTA and a season finale at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“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 Rushbrook.
The Ford Performance Racing School will manage the series. Each round consists of two practice sessions, one qualifying session and two sprint races. To reward the most skilled drivers, 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 racetrack, 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.”
For more information on or to order Dark Horse R, click here.
Photo Credit: Ford.