2023-10-27 15:39:26
Ford Performance shares a selection of additional details regarding the upcoming inaugural Mustang Challenge season, which begins in June 2024.
The series will be home to the Mustang Dark Horse R, Ford Performance’s latest turnkey race car that begins a potential ladder of opportunity to the Mustang GT4 and the pinnacle of the Mustang racing line, the Mustang GT3.
Schedule updates
In August, the initial IMSA-sanctioned Mustang Challenge schedule was announced, featuring a five-round, 10-race schedule beginning in June at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course. Two updates have since followed, allowing Ford Performance to now share a more detailed schedule.
The second round at Watkins Glen International moved forward in accordance with the IMSA schedule change.
Additionally, Ford is pleased to share that the Mustang Challenge finale will now take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a precursor to the SRO Indianapolis 8-Hour Endurance Race presented by AWS, as part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge championship.
| 2024 Mustang Challenge schedule | ||
| Days | Circuits | Host |
| 6/7 – 6/9 | Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course | IMSA |
| 6/20 – 6/23 | Watkins Glen International | IMSA |
| 8/2 – 8/4 | Road America | IMSA |
| 8/31 – 9/1 | Circuit of the Americas | FIA WEC |
| 10/4 – 10/6 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | SRO |
Race format, classes and 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 entries for the full season, with additional entries possible in rounds two through five, will be split into two classes: Dark Horse and Dark Horse Legends, with the latter being an optional classification eligible for bronze-level riders 45 and older. and above.
Michelin has developed an all-new, custom race tire for the series, and teams will be able to purchase three new sets of these Michelin 295/30R19 race tires per weekend.
Ford Performance and Michelin will also have staff on site each race weekend to directly support series participants. Parts will be available at the track, however, as this is also a production 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 cash prizes awarded to 1st-3rd place finishers.
Ford Performance will offer an innovative championship prize structure for the Mustang Challenge, encouraging progression in the Mustang sports car racing stable.
Dark Horse Season Champions will have two paths to choose from to win prizes:
Cash prize of $40,000
Or a $100,000 Scholarship for a Mustang GT3 or Mustang GT4 seat the following year.
Both tours will be accompanied by a day of testing in a Mustang GT4.
Series tire partner Michelin is also supporting the Mustang racing ladder with an overall championship prize of one set of tires per weekend for any driver competing in a Mustang Dark Horse R, Mustang GT4 or Mustang GT3 in a Michelin series the following year.
Those who finish 2nd and 3rd overall in the championship will also receive cash payments 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.
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