Three years ago, Ford Racing announced a brand-new single-make series. When Mustang Challenge debuted, it was an opportunity for Mustang enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of a track-ready Dark Horse R, a car that bridges the gap between a production Dark Horse and a Mustang GT4 race car.
Three years later, Ford Racing’s one-make program has grown into something bigger than we ever could have imagined. With three series across two continents, Mustang one-make racing has become an integral part of our sports car racing efforts. And, as a result of its role, where we race is incredibly important. In 2027, each of our three Mustang one-make series will visit some of the world’s most iconic tracks. Next year’s Mustang Cup Australia schedule was released earlier this summer, and today, we are excited to announce our 2027 calendar for the series that started it all: Mustang Challenge North America.
For Mustang Challenge North America’s fourth season, we have what we believe to be our best schedule yet, with the series visiting six of North America’s premier tracks.
We will open our one-make racing season in Florida, with Mustang Challenge making its first appearance at Daytona International Speedway as a part of the ROAR Before the 24 weekend January 22-24. Being a part of the lead up to the Rolex 24 at Daytona is an incredible opportunity, and it just feels right for us to start our season in the same place where the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship starts theirs.
Mustang Challenge will head to Florida for its second stop, racing during another marquee WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event weekend, the 12 Hours of Sebring, March 17-20. Racing as part of the 12 Hours of Sebring has become a bit of a tradition for Mustang Challenge, and we’re excited to continue the tradition next year.
The season midpoint will come April 30-May 2 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where the Dark Horse R field will take on the world famous “Corkscrew” for a third consecutive time. Following Laguna Seca, the series will hold until August. This extended break is a “global invitational pause,” and it is included in the 2027 schedule for each of our one-make series. It ensures any competitors who want to take part in the 2027 Mustang Challenge Spa Invitational have plenty of time to get their personnel and equipment to Belgium and back without missing any rounds of the championship they compete in full time.
Mustang Challenge will be back in action August 20-22, kicking off the second half of the season at Virginia International Raceway, a venue that mixes beautiful surroundings with a challenging track.
For the penultimate round, the series will race at Circuit of The Americas as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Lone Star Le Mans September 10-12. With the Ford Hypercar making its United States competition debut that weekend, it’s going to be an exciting event that we can’t wait to be a part of.
Mustang Challenge will close the season at Road Atlanta as part of the Petit Le Mans event weekend. This will be the first time Mustang Challenge races at Road Atlanta, and there is no better way to conclude our season than at a new track alongside the season finale of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
A season full of premier venues and headline events is part of the promise of Mustang one-make racing, and I believe we are delivering on that promise with our 2027 Mustang Challenge North America calendar. We are looking forward to offering our competitors, partners and fans another remarkable season of global Mustang competition.
Note: All event dates, venues, and series schedules are provisional and subject to change based on final sanctioning body approvals, host track agreements, and operational requirements.
Chris Ward is Global Customer Racing Manager for Ford Racing
