ALTON, Va. – It’s a big weekend for Ford at this weekend’s Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway, with its Mustang model active across three different specifications (GT3, GT4 and Dark Horse R) and in three different series (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and Mustang Challenge).
They’re also switching up the looks of their factory-entered cars in the WeatherTech Championship Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) class. The pair of Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3s in GTD PRO will run a special livery this weekend, revealed formally on Friday morning.
In addition, Ford has brought two other special vehicles to VIR. The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD will pace the field as the Official Safety Car. Additionally, Ford is displaying a special edition Liquid Carbon Display Mustang GTD for fans at the track. With the similar liveries, Ford will drive awareness to Mustang’s achievements on both the road and racetrack.
The Ford Mustang GTD, the safety car, is a Shadow Black Carbon Series with Performance Pack vehicle. The 815-horsepower beast is equipped with Brembo anti-lock brakes and runs on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
It proved its track prowess as the first car from an American brand to complete a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under seven minutes. It was also recently was featured in a Ford Performance video with automotive journalist Chris Harris interviewing four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, who noted a desire to one day race in iconic IMSA endurance sports car racing events such as the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
The first Ford Mustang GTD Liquid Carbon Display Car figures to be one of the most captured vehicles on the VIR grounds, and is present outside the TMI shop in the paddock. It debuted earlier this month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion as part of Monterey Car Week, and features a clear-coated, high-quality, bare carbon weave without a visit to the paint shop.
The Michelin GT Challenge runs Sunday, August 24, at 2 p.m. ET on USA with streaming on Peacock, IMSA.TV and IMSA’s Official YouTube channel.