In sports cars racing, there are bucket list tracks that drivers of all ages and experience levels dream of competing at. These venues are spread across the globe, and it’s extremely challenging to check all of them off their lists. In its rich 125-year racing history, Ford has been able to visit many of these incredible race courses, and we want our customers to be able to do the same. In 2027, Ford Racing is honoring its international history and making it easier for drivers to check off three of the world’s most iconic tracks by offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity: a three-round Mustang one-make invitational championship.
The championship, called the Mustang Challenge Global Invitational Championship, will consist of crown jewel rounds of Ford Racing’s three global one-make series.
The three-round season will kick-off at Daytona International Speedway, where Mustang Challenge North America will have its season opener as part of the Roar Before the 24 weekend. Daytona is one of North America’s most prestigious tracks, and the Roar weekend has become an exciting event in and of itself, making it the perfect fit for the first round of our invitational championship.
The second round of the season will be the Mustang Challenge Spa Invitational, an event that will run in support of a major endurance race, the 24 Hours of Spa. For our three one-make series, this event will not award points, ensuring that any competitors who can’t make it to Belgium remain in championship contention in the series they compete in full-time.
However, for those competing in the Mustang Challenge Global Invitational Championship, it will be a key points-paying event. In fact, it was our invitational rounds – Le Mans in 2025 and Spa coming in 2027 – that inspired the creation of the invitational championship. We have the opportunity to race at some of the best venues around the world, and we want our customers to have this opportunity too, even if they’re not competing full-time in one of our series. Plus, who doesn’t love a little bit of extra competition?
For the third and final round, drivers will head down under. Mount Panorama Circuit is legendary in Australian racing, hosting the Bathurst 1000, the Bathurst 12 Hour, and in 2027, the Mustang Cup Australia season finale, which will also be the closing race of the invitational championship.
The championship will be scored separately from each of our full-season championships. Drivers can elect to compete in the invitational championship only or alongside a full-season campaign in Mustang Challenge North America, Mustang Cup USA, or Mustang Cup Australia.
Three rounds, three circuits, three continents. All out racing. All in Mustang Dark Horse R cars.
Stay tuned for more details coming soon.
Chris Ward is Global Customer Racing Manager for Ford Racing
