The name Mustang is synonymous with the automotive industry, as one of the most iconic muscle cars in existence and easily the hero of Ford’s extensive roster of vehicles.
That very name will be seen in Australian motorsport from 2019 onwards, with Ford having announced their return to the Supercars championship, the legendary Mustang replacing the incumbent Falcon.
Both DJR Team Penske and Tickford Racing will have V8-powered Mustangs at their disposal from 2019, homologated specifically for the Supercars control chassis, and featuring multiple composite panels to meet the regulation requirements.
The development of the Mustang race car has been in conjunction with the US-based tuning and racing arm, Ford Performance, who themselves will be launching locally to sell tuned versions of their road cars.
Having been widely speculated since Ford ceased manufacturing in Australia and stopped their factory support of Supercars teams, the arrival of the Mustang is a welcome sign that the future of the sport is looking bright.
The Mustang was long destined for a berth in Supercars, with many regarding the Gen2 regulations as having been blueprinted for the two-door bodyshape of the popular coupé.
“There’s been a lot of speculation and calls for Mustang to be on the track, and as a Ford Performance model that’s raced around the world, it’s fitting that Australia’s most popular sports car should be on our race tracks,” said Ford Australia President Graeme Whickman.
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Since entering Supercars with Dick Johnson Racing, US motorsport heavyweight Roger Penske had been lobbying to align with a manufacturer once again.
With only Holden having committed to the category for the foreseeable future, last week I deliberated that their decision to halt development of the V6-twin turbo was the best thing to do, considering the uncertainty over what their competition would look like.
However, Ford may look at introducing a localised version of the EcoBoost V6 motor for the Mustang, which currently powers their GT Endurance racing car.
Despite not having indicated the timeframe in which they’ll be racing again in Supercars, the news ensures that the Ford versus Holden rivalry can continue to dominate Australian motorsport, and engine evolution ought to be natural progression – dependent on the category’s regulations.
Ultimately, this announcement will be a most gratifying outcome for the teams flying the Ford flag, as well as fans who’ve remained loyal in wake of their departure. With minimal or no factory support, Tickford won back-to-back Bathurst 1000 titles in 2013 and 2014, as well as a driver’s title with Ford faithful Mark Winterbottom in 2015.
DJR Team Penske in 2017 emerged as a powerhouse to rival Holden juggernauts in Triple Eight, now the factory team for the Lion. Also, with no support from Ford itself, DJRTP went on to win the team’s championship – as well as significantly contribute to Ford’s first manufacturer’s title since 2009.
Despite the strength of the new ZB Commodore, which has won seven of the eight races so far, the Falcon FG X has served the Blue Oval admirably in its tenure, as it roars on beyond its used by date.
With renewed optimism, or simply a brand-new Mustang, Ford has the chance to continue its rich rivalry with Holden [GM], advance itself further as global manufacturer, and enrich its already bustling motorsport portfolio.
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