Autoblog

Click above to view the FR500S Mustang window sticker

I'm a big fan of 'less is more' and would rather take off weight than add horsepower. I'm also an admitted Mustang fan and was wondering just how much flab could be removed from a new Mustang. Ford lists a 5-speed GT at 3,300 lbs, which isn't too bad, but can you imagine how much better it would be at 3,100 or even 3,000 lbs? My research eventually led me to the Ford Racing web site where I tried to find out how much the FR500S Mustang race car weighed. After all, they don't get more stripped down than that. They don't offer much in the way of specifications, but they do have a downloadable window sticker. Vehicle description, standard equipment, pricing information, wait...what's this? This is no ordinary window sticker. The Ford Racing guys decided to add a little bit of extra flair. For example:

Fuel economy: "Green flag: gulps fuel. Yellow Flag: sips fuel. Red flag: uses no fuel at all"
Warranty: "What, you expected 5-years, 50,000 miles?"
Estimated Annual Champagne Cost: "Big Bucks!"

Click the image above to view the FR500S window sticker and the rest of the Ford Racing funnies.

And I still don't know how much the FR500S weighs. Anybody know?

The latest edition to the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog is a complete race-ready Ford Mustang called the FR500S that retails for a relatively affordable $75,000. Compare that to the $129,900 FR500C and the $250,000 FR500GT and it starts to look like a pretty inexpensive race car. The $75k gets you a fully stripped interior with a roll cage as well as Sparco racing seats and steering wheel. The FR500S package also includes an adjustable suspension, high capacity racing radiator, short throw shifter, racing differential, and drive shaft safety loops. The exterior is given a race car makeover as well, with a front spoiler, rear wing, and GT500 wheels mounted on BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires. The 24-valve 4.6-liter V8 remains fairly stock with the exception of a cold air intake, exhaust system, and performance tune that is good for 325 horsepower.

So, in what racing series can you actually campaign the FR500S? Well Ford has the answer to that too. For 2008, Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park will be introducing the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup, which will feature the spec Stangs at eight races on various race tracks around the country as a support race to the Grand Am series. The only thing you need to compete is a national-level racing license. Oh yeah - and the $75,000.

Gallery: Ford Racing Mustang FR500S