NHRA FX Class... 2024 Mustang

[BG56]

From the company who's laying off workers and gearing up for EVs. SMH Big Time!

[Ken Miele]

Originally Posted by BG56

From the company who's laying off workers and gearing up for EVs. SMH Big Time!

Hey man, if you want to go negative... please start another thread. Shaking My Head at you.

[Ralph A Powell]

This is where Fords Dragrace $$$$$$$$$ is going!

SEVENTH GENERATION FORD MUSTANG IS HEADED TO LE MANS
By Alexandra Purcell
September 15, 2022 9:58 pm

The all-new seventh generation Ford Mustang hit the ground running at its reveal just last night, showing off completely redesigned exterior styling, an attractive engine lineup and a high-performance Mustang Dark Horse variant that will be the most capable 5.0-liter V8 street-legal Mustang ever. Additionally, The Blue Oval revealed its latest herd of motorsports-ready Mustangs, as the seventh-generation pony car will race across several classes and event types. One of those Mustang racers will return the nameplate to the iconic Le Mans endurance race.



Ford Racing exited the Le Mans 24 Hours after the 2019 running of the event, pulling the plug on its factory-backed Ford GT racing program at the end of the season. However, The Blue Oval’s hiatus from the endurance race will soon end, as the all-new seventh generation Ford Mustang GT3 will be eligible to race in the event’s 2024 running.

“Mustang is raced at all the great tracks around the world, but there is no race or track that means more to our history than Le Mans,” said Bill Ford, executive chair of The Stampede – the cleverly named debut of the all-new seventh-generation Ford Mustang. “It’s where we took on Ferrari and won in the 1960s and where we returned 50 years later and shocked the world again.”



Ford took Le Mans by storm with the GT 40 race car in 1964. Two years later, three Ford GT race cars took the top three positions at Le Mans. Mustang race cars ran at Le Mans in 1967 and again in 1997, and now, almost three decades later, the pony car will gallop once again in the tough race.

“Mustang will go back to Le Mans,” Bill Ford said. “Once again, we will Go Like Hell.”

We’ll have more on the S650 Mustang soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and non-stop Ford news coverage.

[Tom P]

Speaking of FX class I see Bill Skillman is running in Comp in a FS/SM class Mustang.

Is that the new FX class?

It is good to see Ford still is catering to those of us who would no sooner want to sit in an electric car than an electric chair.

[Brian Oakes]

i see another paper car coming to a drag strip near you and i know you Kenny you will have 1 ordered, lol

[JHeath]

Originally Posted by Tom P

Speaking of FX class I see Bill Skillman is running in Comp in a FS/SM class Mustang.

Is that the new FX class?

It is good to see Ford still is catering to those of us who would no sooner want to sit in an electric car than an electric chair.

No,it isn't It a FX car,it is the 2014 black Cobra Jet that Bill drove in FSS when Drew drove the red 2018 Cobra Jet several years ago in FSS

[Larry Hill]

My guess is the Skillman team is gathering data!

[Ralph A Powell]

More on Ford’s interest in racing or the lack of interest in Drag Racingfor 2024 Mustang. You have to understand he Jim Farley’s interest is in road racing. That’s what he doe’s on his spare weekend’s!


Following the launch of its new Mustang Dark Horse variant, Ford has announced there will be six versions of the latest model in various different race trims which will compete in various international motorsport series including GT3, GT4, NASCAR and NHRA Factory X racing.

Two track-only Dark Horse Mustangs featuring a 5.0-liter V8 powertrain will be released, consisting of the Mustang Dark Horse S and the Dark Horse R. The Dark Horse S cars have been designed to cater specifically for customers looking to take part in track days, while the Dark Horse R has been developed for use in racing events.

For the Mustang Dark Horse S, Ford has removed all non-essential parts and trim pieces to make way for a full FIA-certified safety cage and safety nets. A race seat and belts has also been installed along with a racing steering wheel with a quick release system. The vehicle also features an electrical cut-off and a fire suppression system.

For ease of use, all of the driver’s controls are situated in a central panel, with buttons, switches and knobs for the vehicle’s headlights, indicators, wipers, adjustable mirrors and a rain light. A pit lane speed limiter and a data and acquisition display system also feature, with a single passenger seat optional.

On the exterior, hood pins have been fitted in addition to tow hooks at the front and rear. At the back of the car, a different exhaust system has been fitted and an adjustable rear wing features for added downforce. Other notable differences to the street legal Dark Horse S are the uprated brakes and Multimatic DSSV dampers to enable adjustable ride heights and camber settings.

The Mustang Dark Horse R features all of the Dark Horse S components in addition to serialization to denote its approval for use in racing events. Other changes for the R variant include seam welding, a fuel cell for additional range and Ford Performance Parts wheels.

“Both Dark Horse S and R have been further enhanced for performance and stripped of almost every unneeded comfort, keeping only what is needed to provide better performance,” said Ed Krenz, Ford Mustang chief nameplate engineer.

The OEM has plans to return to factory-backed GT3 racing at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2024 with a newly developed Mustang GT3 IMSA race car – the vehicle will also be made available to Ford’s customer base. The car – made by Ford Performance and Multimatic –will be powered by a 5.4-liter Coyote-based V8 engine. In addition to its GT3 entrant, Ford will also debut a Mustang GT4 in the 2023 season for use in global GT4 classes such as IMSA, SRO and FIA GT.

Next season Ford also aims to debut a Mustang in the Australian Supercars series, as well as debuting new models in the NASCAR Cup series and NHRA Factory X racing series in years to come.

“We’re taking this all-new Mustang to competition racing and the very definition of a Dark Horse is the perfect fit to introduce this vehicle to the Mustang brand,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “With our race program development underway, we’re confident we have the right car for success.”



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ABOUT AUTHOR

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CALLUM BROOK-JONES
After spending six years working as a mechanic for various motorsport and high-end performance car companies, Callum joined UKi Media & Events in February 2020 as an assistant editor. In this role he uses his vast practical knowledge a