FORD PERFORMANCE DEBUTS TRACK-ONLY MUSTANG DARK HORSE R BRED TO RACE IN MUSTANG-ONLY RACING SERIES

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 27, 2023 – Ford Performance today reveals the all-new Mustang Dark Horse™ R, offering the most demanding track enthusiasts a turn-key race car ready to compete in the all-new Mustang Challenge spec racing series, just for Mustang Dark Horse R and sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).

The Mustang Dark Horse R powered by a new, fourth-generation 5.0-liter Coyote V8 is 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 Ready for the Track

With the Ford Mustang Dark Horse joining the herd as the most track-capable 5.0-liter V8 street-legal Mustang ever, Dark Horse R is a natural extension of the capabilities found in every Dark Horse.

Dark Horse R is designed for track use only, but also shares several components with the road-going version. These include a Flat Rock Assembly Plant-provided body, 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. It’s 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

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

- Mustang Challenge Provides Mustang Enthusiasts A Place to Race

Mustang Dark Horse R was born to compete in the new, single-make Mustang Challenge series.

The Mustang Challenge series will start in 2024, running a 10 to 12-race calendar in conjunction with a mix of five to six yet-to-be-announced North American sports car race weekends. All cars will compete on racing slicks developed specifically for Mustang Challenge by our series partners at Michelin.

Each round of the IMSA-sanctioned series, which will be managed by the Ford Performance Racing School, 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.

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.

For more information on or to order Dark Horse R, please visit (https://www.ford.com/performance/mustang-dark-horse-r/).

For more information on the Mustang Challenge, visit (https://performance.ford.com/series/mustang-challenge/news/articles/mustang-challenge-series/2023/07/dark-horse-r.html).

Source: Ford Media Center

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