Ford Mustang FR500S Launched

FR500S

Building on the rich and successful racing history of Ford's iconic pony car, Ford Racing Performance Group is giving customers an affordable way to go racing with the introduction of the all-new 2008 Mustang FR500S.

The FR500S will be the heart of a new Mustang spec series, the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup, which will make its debut on race tracks across North America in 2008.

The limited-edition FR500S is the first race car in Ford Motor Company's history to be built at a production facility and then made available for racers to purchase through the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog and at authorized Ford Racing dealers.

"There aren't very many manufacturers that can say they build race cars right off of the production line, and we are very, very proud of this achievement," said Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology. "This new pony car gives customers and racers a chance to get into a high-performing vehicle that is durable, reliable and competitive."

The 325-hp Ford Mustang FR500S was co-developed by Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park (MMP) in Tooele, Utah, and is based on the Mustang GT used by the track's high-performance driving school. Powered by a 4.6-liter 3-valve, fuel-injected V8 production engine and featuring a Ford Racing cold-air intake, the FR500S includes a 6-speed transmission with an upgraded clutch and Ford Racing short-throw shifter. The FR500S features the same braking utilized on the FR500C along with unique two-way adjustable front dampers with coil springs and an adjustable anti-roll bar in both the front and rear suspension.

"The new Mustang FR500S is the result of Ford Racing working with Miller Motorsports Park, the Auto Alliance International production facility and everyone with Team Mustang to produce an affordable race car that is durable and lives up to the powerful reputation of the Mustang," said Jamie Allison, manager, Ford Racing Performance Group. "We were able to use production racing parts out of our own catalog to ensure this car handles and performs with the power and aggressiveness the Mustang is known for."

With the addition of the Mustang FR500S to its current stable of Mustang race cars, Ford Racing now provides customers a racing ladder – all within one manufacturer – to climb up through the ranks of professional racing. The Ford Racing ladder begins with the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park featuring specially prepared school Mustangs.

The next step on the ladder is the Mustang FR500S, which is delivered as a race-ready vehicle complete with a racing seat and safety harnesses, and provides competitors with a base to hone their driving skills and an exciting year-long schedule to race against other semi-pro drivers.

Moving further up the ladder puts racers behind the wheel of the Mustang FR500C, which competes in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, and the FR500GT4, which competes in the GT4 European Cup Championship. Both Mustangs are proven winners with each car having won championships in its first year of competition.

At the top of the ladder sit both the Mustang FR500GT and FR500GT3, which represent the ultimate race-bred Mustang. The FR500GT is being homologated for Grand-Am Rolex GT and other applications, while the FR500GT3 has already competed in select FIA GT3 European Championship races and will be campaigned full-time in 2008.