Ford Racing FR500S Mustang - So, You Wanna Race?
The FR500S, the latest in a growing collection of special-edition Mustangs, has hit the track. The first event in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup will have run at Georgia's famed Road Atlanta racetrack by the time you read this. You can read more about the development of the FR500S and the series in this month's In the Spotlight interview (see page 92) with Alden Rix from Miller Motorsports Park and Andy Slankard from Ford Racing.

In general, a "spec" series is intended to provide lots of excitement by keeping the competing cars as closely matched as possible. This means driving skill is the distinguishing factor among competitors. Compared to Grand Am Racing's Koni Challenge series, where performance leveling is accomplished through the use of intake restrictors and weight additions, the Mustang Challenge series restricts the use of vehicle components. For example, all cars must run on BFGoodrich g-Force R1 racing tires, as provided with the car. All of the 4.6L V-8 engines are dyno tested by Ford after assembly and sealed to prevent any further modification. FR500S is the first race car in Ford Motor Company's history to be built at a production facility and then made available to racers through the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog and at authorized Ford dealers.

According to Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology, "This new car gives customers and racers a chance to get into a high-performing vehicle that is durable, reliable and competitive." The 325hp FR500S Mustang was codeveloped by Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park, based on the Mustang GT used by the track's high-performance driving school. With a 4.6L, Three-Valve, fuel-injected V-8 production engine, featuring a Ford Racing cold-air intake and Borla long-tube headers, the FR500S also includes a six-speed transmission with an upgraded clutch and a Ford Racing short-throw shifter. The FR500S uses the same braking as the Mustang FR500C Koni Challenge car, along with unique, two-way adjustable front dampers with coil springs and an adjustable antiroll bar in both the front and rear suspension.

Professional Racing
Ford has been building the FR500C race car for three years now, and all of the lessons learned during that time have been applied to the new car. This was aptly demonstrated when two of the prototypes finished First and Second in their class at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill race last fall.

"We ran the cars hard," says Lynda Randall, series director for the Mustang Challenge, "and they never skipped a beat. We wanted to really put our systems and components to the toughest possible validation test, and we had no problems at all. The BFGoodrich R1 tires far exceeded our expectations for speed, durability, and wear, and all of our driveline components supplied by Ford Racing were flawless." That kind of reliability will let individual and team owners concentrate on driver development and team logistics. It's expected that some of the current Koni Challenge teams will participate in this series, and Rehagen Racing, out of Livonia, Michigan, was the first to sign on.

"Given our experience with the new Mustang in other Grand Am-sanctioned road-racing events, it only seemed natural that we contest for the Miller Cup with our current car owners and drivers, Jim Click, Mike McGovern, and Jamie Slone," says Rehagen Racing's Dean Martin. "Completing our four-car team will be car owner and driver Mike Harvison, a participant in both Porsche Club of America and Koni Challenge events. Our goal is to set the standard of performance in the series. Considering this is a spec series, we will rely on our preparation and chassis setup expertise to give our drivers every opportunity to win races."

Experienced teams may have a slight initial advantage, but that's likely to be short-lived. The Sporting and Technical Regulations that have been issued for the series are very clear in explaining that "in any 'spec' class, technical infractions are viewed with particular disdain." Since allowing the car to fall out of spec runs against both the spirit of the series and its regulations, the sanctioning body clearly states that "the more deliberate the infraction, the more severe the penalties will be." Penalties can include disqualification, loss of race or series points and monetary fines.

Production Built
The FR500S racer is built on the regular production line at the AutoAlliance International assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. But the process is quite different from a standard build. For example, no sound deadening or body seam sealer materials are used. If you end up racing in the rain, you might get a little wet. Oh well. A special wiring harness was also developed for the car that removes all nonessential circuits for reduced weight and cost. Engines for the cars are built in Ford's Romeo Engine Plant, sealed and sent to Roush Industries, in Livonia, Michigan, for output verifi-cation. It's reported that a variation of only 3-4 hp has been seen among the engines.

After the assembly work is completed in Flat Rock, cars are shipped to Watson Engineering in Taylor, Michigan, where interior work and rollcage installation are completed. Watson also does the 'cage construction for the other Mustang racers, including the FR500C. The last leg of their journey takes the FR500S cars to Miller Motorsports Park in Utah, where all of the remaining equipment is installed and verified.

Driver safety is a top priority in the FR500S Mustang. The car comes with a complete suite of safety features, including an integral side head-restraint seat, a six-point HANS-compatible restraint harness, a steering wheel with a quick-release hub, a fire-suppression system and window net, as well as a master electrical cutoff switch.

As a Ford Racing catalog item, the FR500S can be ordered through Miller Motorsports Park or from your Ford dealer. The car sells for $75,000, which is about $50,000 less than an FR500C Grand-Am racer. Production is currently capped at 77 units. While the initial emphasis for the car is the Mustang Challenge series, it can be used in other road-racing series. The FR500S Mustang is eligible to compete in the Sports Car Club of America (B-Prepared National class, ITE Regional class), the National Auto Sport Association (American Iron class, Super Touring class, Super Unlimited class), and in the Miller Park Racing Association (MPRA) at Miller Motorsports Park.

Show Me The Cash
The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup will feature 45-minute sprint races and run as a support series for the main event. Each race weekend will include two 30-minute practice sessions, a 25-minute qualifying session, and the 45-minute race. Entry fees for the series will total $1,300 per competitor per race, including a paddock hospitality package for up to four people.

According to the organizers, the prize for the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge will exceed $300,000 and pay out through 20th Place. Each individual race purse will total $27,000, with $5,000 going to the winner. Championship bonuses will total $69,000 and will be paid through 10th Place, with the season champion receiving $15,000. There will also be a Champion's Reward, which is a guaranteed drive in a Ford Mustang FR500C in the '09 season opener for the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series at Daytona International Speedway.

Now, if committing to the entire series isn't in your game plan, either because of timing or funds, there will be a number of "arrive and drive" options available. One company has already committed to supplying multiple cars for this purpose, and other rides may become available as the season progresses. TC Motorsports (www.tcmotorsports.net) out of Auburn, Washington, provides race-car preparation, maintenance, and transportation, as well as full arrive-and-drive support.

Whether your road-racing aspirations are modest or magnificent, there's a Mustang for every stage. You could start in SCCA T2-class competition with a Shelby GT, or head to Europe and dash around the famous circuits such as Silverstone with an FR500GT3 in FIA GT competition. If, like many of us, your budget or ability tempers your aspirations, many options are still available. You just have to go out and find the level that has championship potential for you.

At A Glance
Ford Racing FR500S Spec Racer


Engine
Ford Racing 4.6L, Three-Valve, aluminum-block V-8


Engine Modifications
Ford Racing Recalibrated PCM
84mm cold-air intake kit
Borla stainless steel long-tube headers and X pipe system
Dyno-checked and factory sealed after assembly


Driveline
Ford Racing six-speed
Upgraded clutch
Short-throw shifter
3:73-ratio axle with Torsen differential
Front and rear driveshaft loops


Chassis
Ford Racing front strut tower brace
Rack-and-pinion steering
Race ABS calibration
Brembo four-piston 14-in front brakes with race pads front and rear


Exterior
Factory-built and -painted body shell
Polycarbonate plastic quarter and rear windows
Front splitter, rear wing


Interior
All sound deadening and seam sealer deleted at factory
Lighter, vehicle-specific wiring harnesses for minimum necessary functionality
Watson Engineering rollcage built to FIA, SCCA, NASA, and Grand-Am specifications
Complete safety system including integral side head-restraint seat
Six-point HANS-compatible harness, steering wheel with quick-release hub
Fire-suppression system and window net
Master cutoff switch and center switch panel
AIM MXL data-acquisition system


Suspension
Two-way front adjustable front dampers with coil springs
Adjustable antiroll bar
Adjustable ride height
Front camber/caster plates
Rear Panhard rod
Two-way adjustable rear dampers with coilover springs
Rear antiroll bar
Adjustable ride height


Wheels And Tires
BFGoodrich g-Force R1 high-performance 245/40/R18 tires
Ford Racing 18x9.5-in aluminum wheels, 7.125-in backspacing, 45mm offset


Numbers
325 flywheel horsepower


Ford Racing Mustang Challenge For The Milller Cup
2008 Series Schedule

May 3, 2008
Track: Road Atlanta
Where: Braselton, GA
Course: 2.54-mile, 12-turn natural-terrain road course


June 15, 2008
Track: Mosport International Raceway
Where: Bowmanville, ON, Canada
Course: 2.46-mile, 10-turn natural-terrain road course


June 22, 2008
Track: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Where: Lexington, OH
Course: 2.26-mile, 13-turn natural-terrain road course


July 20, 2008
Track: Barber Motorsports Park
Where: Birmingham, AL
Course: 2.3-mile, 16-turn natural-terrain road course


August 16, 2008
Track: Lime Rock Park
Where: Lakeville, CT
Course: 1.54-mile, eight-turn natural-terrain road course


August 31, 2008
Track: New Jersey Motorsports Park
Where: Millville, NJ
Course: 2.25-mile, 14-turn natural-terrain road course


September 21, 2008
Track: Miller Motorsports Park (double-header)
Where: Tooele, UT
Course: 4.49-mile natural-terrain road course



Photo Gallery: Ford Racing FR500S Mustang - So, You Wanna Race? - Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine



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