Ford CEO Jim Farley Enters Mustang Challenge Race at Mid-Ohio

Ford CEO Jim Farley goes where his customers are. Even if those customers are buying race cars.

Farley is an avid racing driver and has announced that he will be entering the inaugural Mustang Challenge event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend.

The 10-race, five-event series is backed by IMSA and features identically prepared Mustang Dark Horse R racing cars in two classes.

The very experienced will be competing in the top class, while the Dark Horse Legends is comprised of FIA bronze-level drivers age 45 and older.

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The Dark Horse R is a track-only $145,000 version of the production Mustang Dark Horse that has been upgraded with racing equipment.

The factory car’s 500 hp 5.0-liter V8 engine, Tremec 3160 manual transmission, Torsen limited slip differential with 3.73 final drive ratio are enhanced with new powertrain lubrication, cooling and exhaust systems. The suspension is also modified with adjustable anti-roll bars, camber plates and Multimatic DSSV dampers. Brembo racing brakes, a roll cage, fuel cell, Recaro racing seat, quick-release steering wheel and MoTeC data display are some of the additional changes made to the car by racing and performance outfit Multimatic.

There are currently 26 cars including Farley’s registered for the Mid-Ohio event, which will feature 45 minute races on Saturday and Sunday.

Farley’s No. 17 car will feature a yellow scheme that is a tribute to the Terlingua Racing Team Mustang that scored the model’s first-ever win at Mid-Ohio in 1967 during a Trans Am race. Titus held of Dan Pearson in a Mercury Cougar to take the checkered flag that day.

Farley has made it a point to turn Ford’s racing programs into a business and the company has Mustang models entered in several series across IMSA and the WEC, with customer GT3 and GT4 cars also available to teams in these higher pro ranks.