Ford Provides New Details on Mustang Challenge
Ford Performance has released new details regarding the inaugural season of the Mustang Challenge, set to begin in June 2024.
The series will be the home of the Mustang Dark Horse R, a turnkey racecar from Ford Performance that is designed to be a step on a potential development ladder to the Mustang GT4 and GT3, Ford Performance said.
Along with the previously announced, IMSA-sanctioned Mustang Challenge schedule, Ford has moved the second round at Watkins Glen International to align with IMSA’s schedule change. Additionally, 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.
Each IMSA-sanctioned event will feature two 30-minute practice sessions, one 15-minute qualifying session and two 45-minute sprint races, Ford Performance said. 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.
Each race will feature a podium celebration for both classes, as well as prize money awarded to overall 1st through 3rd place finishers.
Additionally, Dark Horse season champions will have two paths to choose from for prizes: a cash prize of $40,000 or a $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.
Those finishing 2nd and 3rd overall in the championship will also receive cash payouts of $20,000 and $10,000 respectively, Ford Performance said. Dark Horse Legends champions will receive a cash prize of $20,000 or a test day in a Mustang GT4.
2024 Mustang Challenge Schedule
- June 7-9 – Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course
- June 20-23 – Watkins Glen International
- Aug. 2-4 – Road America
- Aug. 31 – Sept. 1 – Circuit of the Americas
- Oct. 4-6 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway
