Ford Performance Announces Mustang Challenge Race Schedule, Details Format & Prize Structure

Challenge Unlocked

Hot off the heels of a summer of exciting Mustang race car reveals, Ford Performance is pleased to share a selection of further details regarding the upcoming inaugural season of Mustang Challenge, set to begin in June 2024. The series will be the home of the Mustang Dark Horse R, the latest turnkey racecar from Ford Performance that begins a potential ladder of opportunity up to Mustang GT4 and on to the ultimate expression of the Mustang racing line up, the Mustang GT3.

Schedule Updates

In August, the initial IMSA-sanctioned Mustang Challenge schedule was announced, featuring a five-round, 10-race calendar beginning in June at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course. Since then, two updates have followed, allowing Ford Performance to now share a more detailed schedule. The second round at Watkins Glen International has moved up in alignment with IMSA’s schedule change. Additionally, Ford is excited to share that the Mustang Challenge finale will now be held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a precursor to the SRO Indianapolis 8-Hour presented by AWS endurance race, as part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge championship.

Racing Format, Classes & Support

Each IMSA-sanctioned event will feature two 30-minute practice sessions, one 15-minute qualifying session and two 45-minute sprint races. The field of up to 40 full season entries, with additional entries possible at rounds two through five, will be split into two classes – Dark Horse and Dark Horse Legends, the latter being an optional classification eligible to bronze-level drivers 45 years old and over.

Michelin has developed an all-new bespoke race tire for the series, and teams will be eligible to purchase three new sets of these 295/30R19 Michelin race tires per weekend.

Ford Performance and Michelin will also have personnel onsite at each race weekend to directly support entrants of the series. Parts will be available at the track, however as this is also a production-based car, many parts will be available through local Ford dealers.

Prize Structure

Each race will feature a podium celebration for both classes, as well as prize money awarded to overall 1st through 3rd place finishers.

Ford Performance will be offering an innovative championship prize structure for Mustang Challenge, encouraging progression in the Mustang sports car racing stable.

Dark Horse season champions will have two paths to choose from for prizes:

Cash prize of $40,000

OR

$100,000 Scholarship towards a Mustang GT3 or Mustang GT4 seat the following year.

Both paths will be accompanied by a test day in a Mustang GT4.

Series tire partner Michelin is also supporting the Mustang racing ladder with overall championship prize of a set of tires per weekend for any driver racing a Mustang Dark Horse R, Mustang GT4 or Mustang GT3 in a Michelin series the following year.

Those finishing 2nd and 3rd overall in the championship will also receive cash payouts of $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.

Dark Horse Legends champions will receive a cash prize of $20,000 or a test day in a Mustang GT4.

Additional Details

Pricing for Mustang Dark Horse R starts at $145,000. Deliveries are planned to begin in 2024, prioritizing customers competing in the full Mustang Challenge season. For more information or to order a Mustang Dark Horse R, visit here.