Single-Make Series Featuring Mustang Dark Horse R Will Continue Into its Sophomore Season Beginning This Weekend At Sebring International Raceway
Entry List (Click Here)
SEBRING, Fla. – Mustang Challenge, the IMSA-sanctioned single-make series featuring Mustang Dark Horse R, will continue into its sophomore season beginning this weekend at Sebring International Raceway. The series not only extends the rich six-decade racing heritage of Mustang but also offers a competitive platform for passionate customers and racing enthusiasts to take to the track.
The Mustang Challenge series schedule features a six-round, 12-race calendar, plus a non-points invitational round at Circuit de la Sarthe as a support race to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“We are incredibly excited to kick off the 2025 Mustang Challenge series at Sebring International Raceway.” said Chris Ward, Global One Make Series Manager, Ford Performance. “The energy and passion from both the drivers and the fans are what make this series so special, and we can’t wait to see, and of course hear, the competition unfold this season.”
Champions Return to Challenge
Back for season two are both our of 2024 class champions!
Robert Noaker, who was also recently announced as a Ford Performance Junior Team driver, returns to defend his 2024 Mustang Challenge Champion title in the No. 13 Mustang Dark Horse R.
“I’m excited to get the 2025 season underway at Sebring with the improved Dark Horse R.” said Noaker. “It’s nice to see the schedule being expanded to six points paying weekends with new tracks, and the ability to race at Le Mans is so exciting. The upgrades done to the car will help round out the package from the drivability and race ability. Looking forward to getting started!”
Dark Horse Legends Champion Alex Bachoura also returns to the grid in the No. 33 Spark Performance Ford Mustang Dark Horse R.
Chelsea DeNofa Enters Mustang Challenge
After claiming the Formula Drift championship in a Ford Mustang RTR back in 2023, Chelsea DeNofa has dusted off his road course racing roots and has found himself in the seat of a Mustang Dark Horse R for the opening round of Mustang Challenge.
“After bringing home the Formula Drift Championship and Manufacturers Cup in the Ford Mustang, I’m unbelievably stoked to announce i’ll be running in Ford’s Mustang Challenge series this weekend at Sebring!” Said DeNofa. “We have built out a two car team with Chip Van Vurst and can’t wait to get out on track and see where we stack up!”
DeNofa looks to compete in the opening round of Mustang Challenge as well as the Le Mans Invitational in June.
Ford Performance Sports Car Pyramid
Ford Performance has created a pathway for Mustang enthusiasts (and established drivers) to reach the upper echelons of global sports car racing.
Drivers can progress from Mustang Cup to Mustang Challenge through various Mustang GT4 series or even the top level of GT racing with the Mustang GT3. Mustang Challenge offers a unique experience to its drivers, providing this single-source funnel to escalate their careers.
New for Mustang Dark Horse R in 2025
The Mustang Dark Horse R, engineered for competition by Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsports, is a turn-key race car that is capable of generating more than 500 horsepower to compete at the most demanding racing circuits.
Beginning at Sebring, teams will be sporting an update package to the Mustang Dark Horse R that focuses on performance, reliability, and serviceability.
All Mustang Dark Horse R’s competing in Mustang Challenge will race on a lighter 18″ Forged Wheel wrapped in a 30/65-18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup GT tire. During events with inclement weather, the Michelin P2L in 30/65-18 will be used. Ford Performance and Michelin will also have personnel onsite at each race weekend to directly support entrants of the series.
Other major updates to the Mustang Dark Horse R includes an competition style clutch and throw-out bearing for gearbox durability, Mustang GT4 Rear Camber Arms for quicker and more precise camber changes, Front Chin Spoiler Supports for fascia retention and durability, and a new 3.55 ratio rear differential to provide better gearing for high-speed tracks such as Road America and Le Mans.