Ford, Mustang Challenge Set to Stun at Lone Star Le Mans

New Mustang GT3, Mustang Challenge part of Ford’s new sports car ladder

20 August 2024– A sports car icon, the Ford Mustang will make its presence of ponies felt across multiple series at Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of The Americas this Labor Day weekend.

After a several-year hiatus since its factory-run Ford GT efforts concluded at the end of 2019, Ford Performance has reestablished its sports car program in 2024 in a big way.  The “Blue Oval” brand has developed a de facto, in-house ladder. Ford, in collaboration with longtime technical partner Multimatic Motorsports, has produced the new Ford Mustang GT3 and Ford Mustang GT4 spec models that race in a range of championships internationally.

Beyond that, the new Mustang Challenge series has debuted in 2024, and features the Mustang Dark Horse R model.

The GT3 and Dark Horse R models will both be in action in Austin, with the GT3 entered in the LMGT3 class of FIA WEC and the Dark Horse R in the supporting Mustang Challenge series, which is sanctioned by IMSA.

It’s a banner year for Mustang with its six-decade racing heritage being celebrated throughout 2024, and with the Mustang Challenge series opening up a competitive platform for customers and enthusiasts.

New Mustang GT3 Making Waves and Headlines in Debut Season

The Ford Mustang GT3 is competing worldwide in its first season, and makes its first FIA WEC appearance within the U.S. at Circuit of The Americas.

The car features a Coyote engine-based 5.4-Liter naturally aspirated V8 developed by Ford Performance and M-Sport. The precision-crafted chassis, coordinated between Ford and Multimatic, has a bespoke short-long arm suspension, a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon fiber body panels and a unique aero package.

Success came relatively early in the new car’s lifespan, as Ford made its first visit to the podium with the new Mustang GT3 at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in just its fourth FIA WEC start. The trio of Dennis Olsen, Mikkel Pedersen and Giorgio Roda finished third in LMGT3, driving the No. 88 Proton Competition Ford Mustang GT3.

How big was that result for Ford, globally? None other than Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr., himself, stood on the podium alongside the trio.

“Today’s podium performance shows that Mustang can come and compete on the global stage against the best sports cars in the world,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports of the significant result.

The Olsen, Pedersen and Roda trio sit ninth in LMGT3 points this season. Proton fields a second car as well for Ryan Hardwick, an American driver able to compete on home soil in Austin, along with Zacharie Robichon and Ben Barker. That trio in the No. 77 Ford Mustang GT3 have had a tougher season-to-date, but posted a best finish of seventh the last FIA WEC race in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Mustang Challenge Underway in Maiden Season

IMSA has welcomed a number of single-make championships to its paddock, and the latest addition is Ford’s new Mustang Challenge that has premiered in 2024.

The series runs two sprint races per weekend of 45 minutes apiece and is open to FIA Silver or Bronze-rated drivers. Michelin has developed a bespoke tire for the new Dark Horse R car, and while parts are available at track, its production-based car nature means many parts can be acquired through local dealers.

Mustang Challenge ran its first three race weekends alongside IMSA. It will finish its inaugural season alongside FIA WEC in Austin with the finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October as part of the SRO’s Indianapolis 8-Hour weekend.

As part of an expanded calendar next year, Mustang Challenge competitors can run the 2025 Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational at Circuit de la Sarthe.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Mustang Challenge as a support race for next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. “The Mustang has always been an incredible crowd pleaser. Its distinctive roar already resounds on IMSA circuits and we are overjoyed at the prospect of hosting this race.”

Through three race weekends and six rounds, Tyler Maxson (Robert Noaker Racing) leads Robert Noaker (RNR) by 60 points in the Dark Horse championship. Those two split the first four races of the year while Sam Paley (Southern Paley Motorsports) swept Road America to jump to third in the championship, 110 points back. Zachry Lee (McCumbee McAleer Racing) has won five of six Dark Horse Legends (DHL) class races to lead that championship.

The two Mustang Challenge races, which should feature more than 20 cars, are set for Saturday, August 31 at 4:40 p.m. and Sunday, September 1 at 8:40 a.m. Central and local time.

Tickets for Labor Day Weekend’s Lone Star Le Mans are available here.