Click image for a high-res gallery of the Ford Racing Mustang FR500S
Nineteen Ford Racing FR500S Mustangs are now in the hands of their owners. In case you've forgotten, the Mustang FR500S is the $75,000, 325-horsepower racing car introduced at SEMA and offered directly to customers by Ford for use in the new single-make Ford Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup series. Starting this May at Road Atlanta, a series of eight Challenge races will take place in support of larger Grand-Am, HSR and NASCAR regional events, culminating with a September doubleheader at Miller Motorsports Park, for which the series and trophy are named.
Last weekend, the FR500S owners made a pilgrimage to the racetrack in Salt Lake City, UT where they attended performance driving school, participated in seminars about the series, and, most importantly, took delivery of their racers. Kudos to the pair of drivers who strayed from the norm, opting for black and red cars instead of the white chosen by everyone else. Once all the talking ended, the group headed out to the track for open practice sessions in their cars. May's not that far off, and the next time this group of racers gets together, they'll be competing for championship points. If you want to see the cars in action, we've pasted the Mustang Challenge schedule after the jump.
[Source: Mustang Challenge]
SCHEDULE:
2008 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup
Date / Venue / In Support of
- May 2-4 / Road Atlanta / HSR
- June 13-15 / Mosport / NASCAR (Canada)
- June 20-22 / Mid-Ohio / Grand Am
- July 18-20 / Barber Motorsports Park / Grand Am
- August 15-16 / Lime Rock / NASCAR (East)
- August 29-21/ New Jersey Motorsports Park / Grand Am
- September 19-21/ Miller Motorsports Park / Grand Am
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
blake @ Mar 7th 2008 4:06PM
All that hard work paid off. My company made the Lexan windows for all 50 of the first cars!
naggs @ Mar 7th 2008 4:35PM
awesome, was it all the windows? or just the front and rear?
there would deff be plenty of demand for those as aftermarket parts for street cars.
Braden @ Mar 7th 2008 5:05PM
I don't get the point of single-car racing. I guess it allows you to compete on a more level playing field - the abilities of the driver should shine through since you have the same car... But some people might be more talented in, say, a rear-engined or mid-engined car than a F-R setup like a 'stang. Why limit a race series to a single vehicle? Why not class based on pwr:weight and other things, and let people drive what they want?
"Here, if you want to compete in this series you MUST buy this exact car." That would be like mandating that baseball teams all use the same bat, or football teams all use the same helmets... I sort of understand, but part of me really dislikes the whole idea. :p
Michael @ Mar 7th 2008 5:59PM
"That would be like mandating that baseball teams all use the same bat, or football teams all use the same helmets..."
I'm no expert, but aren't there _very_ strict regulations on those things? That basically means you have to use the same stuff. You have to stay within the regulations. Okay, actually, that's basically what you said. Nevermind. :)
naggs @ Mar 7th 2008 6:39PM
all MLB bats are made by one company from one specific kind of tree grown in a specific area made to specific standards
the exact same situation for helmets in the NFL
the winning teams will have better talent, organization and more hard work.
in racing series with different types of road cars, the rules have to artificially tweaked to put everyone on the same playing field anyways, i dont see what difference it makes.
tenfifteen @ Mar 7th 2008 6:57PM
Well, it's a support series anyway... like Formula BMW or the Lites or whatever. They run sprint races of 45 minutes or so, and then there's a main event.
I think it's great. I am not a huge Mustang guy, but I like the new 'Stang, I like that Ford is supporting it as a motorsports platform, and besides... these aren't just legal for this series. It can race in B-Prepared SCCA among others... I am a huge ALMS fan, but I'll be heading up to a Rolex/Koni race in August anyway, and this is a huge bonus "undercard."
http://www.millercup.com/inside_seriesFacts.php
Joe @ Mar 8th 2008 2:10PM
Not all bats are made by the same company, nor are they made of the same wood. You're completely mistaken.
There are bats made of Ash, Maple, Hickory, Bamboo, and Oak, and they're made by several different companies including Louisville Slugger, Easton, Mizuno, BWP, etc.
In any case, it's just a sport for people who like to race like vehicles, similar to old school SCCA racing, when it was all Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers, though using the same vehicle allows the series to reduce the variability between cars and keep the racing more competitive.
JayP @ Mar 7th 2008 7:03PM
What I wouldn't give got one of these rides. Here to hoping this spawns some Camaro and Challenger interest and get back to something that that resembles the 70's TransAm.
Without Paul.
Stuka @ Mar 7th 2008 8:59PM
I agree, it would be awesome to have another Trans Am racing series similar to the late 60's. All FR cars that are full bodied and such.
Fooman @ Mar 7th 2008 7:10PM
I have a pretty good idea which 2 drivers I would hang out with....
Stuka @ Mar 7th 2008 9:01PM
Ditto on that.
Mike @ Mar 8th 2008 11:21AM
Those guys probably have plenty of money to pay for more expensive body repairs. Many self funded racers prefer white because of cost. It's the easiest color to match and paint over. Most sanctioning bodies have rules as to car appearance before you can pass tech inspection. The red one wouldn't be too bad either but the black one would be a real b to get looking good again if you are hit or rubbed.
Dan A @ Mar 7th 2008 10:26PM
Why do that say "TURBO" by the grill? They arn't turbo charged as far as I can tell. Are they reffering to the gasoline brand?
Jay @ Mar 7th 2008 10:56PM
It's called a Sponsor's decal. You know, like BF Goodrich?
http://www.turbomagazine.com/index.html
GOT @ Mar 7th 2008 11:37PM
Cool. I'd like to own one of those Mustangs.
typhoon5000 @ Mar 8th 2008 6:21AM
you guys have to check out the fake window sticker Ford Racing made up for these cars: http://www.fordracingparts.com/mustang/FR500S_HeroCard.pdf
It's pretty funny.
Hiro11 @ Mar 8th 2008 1:45PM
$75K track-day car with a solid rear axle? I'll pass.
That One Person @ Mar 8th 2008 3:05PM
Hiro....you do realize that Mustangs, in racing form, can perform just as well, if not better, than some other cars out there.
I am not sure what branch of racing it is (feel free to help me out with that) but the Mustang did pretty well and won quite a few races. If I am not mistaken (once again, feel free to help or correct me), Mustangs have won against Porsches.
Speedking @ Mar 9th 2008 9:06PM
That would be Koni Challenge, where the Mustangs race against BMW M3s and Porsche 997 in the GS class...
Christian @ Mar 10th 2008 12:22PM
They pounded the Porsches in 2005 and 2007 in Koni and took the manufacturer title from BMW M3 in 2005. Hiro needs to get a clue.