Ford has announced its Ford Performance sub-brand is coming to Australia, headlined by the confirmation of the Mustang entering the 2019 Supercars championship.
As rumoured last year, the Mustang will enter Australia’s biggest racing series. The project is being put together by Ford Australia, Ford Performance, Dick Johnson Racing (DJR Team Penske), and Tickford Racing, thanks to new rules which come into effect in 2019 allowing two-door coupes to compete in the series. A special event was held today to launch the Ford Performance brand, with the local debut of the new 2018 Mustang (pictured).
“We are giving Mustang a proper birthday today, with the Australian unveiling of the new 2018 model and confirming its Australian track-debut with Supercars in 2019,” said Ford Australia President and CEO, Graeme Whickman. “We know enthusiasts of the Mustang, Australia’s most popular sports car, will be as excited as we are about seeing Mustang on track.”
“We’re proud to announce that Ford Australia, with our Ford Performance global team, is working with DJR Team Penske and Tickford Racing to homologate Mustang for 2019. 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.”
Above rendering by ssMedia
Ford Performance has been involved in motorsport for a while, working with global partners including NASCAR, British Formula 4, and the NHRA drag racing scene. There’s also M-Sport in the WRC, and Le Mans racing with the Ford GT. Speaking about the new plan, Dick John, co-owner for DJR Team Penske (and proud Ford fan), said:
“Throughout the entire history of this team, we’ve never run anything but a Ford, and this announcement today is fantastic. The fact that we will be able to build and race a Mustang in the 2019 Supercars Championship is music to my ears. It’s great to be back in the Ford fold, and we’ll continue to ensure that we give Ford – and its millions of fans – something to cheer about.”
Since the Mustang Supercar is still under development we don’t have any images for you, but we can expect a dramatic aero kit and gutted-out interior for the racing version. It will make its debut race in the first round of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship in March.
