Get ready for the thunder of V8s, because Australian race tracks are about to get a whole lot more American muscle. Ford Performance has officially pulled the covers off its plans to bring the global Mustang Cup one-make racing series to Australia, kicking off in 2026. This marks the first international expansion for the popular series, promising a dedicated platform for drivers to battle it out in identical, factory-built machinery.
The announcement, made with fitting international flair at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, confirms the series will form part of the 2026 SRO SpeedSeries calendar for a six-round championship. For motorsport fans, one-make series are the pinnacle of pure competition, placing the emphasis squarely on driver talent rather than budget or engineering advantages. With the Mustang holding such a special place in the hearts of Australian enthusiasts, this new championship is set to be a massive drawcard.
The Weapon of Choice: The Mustang Dark Horse R
At the heart of this new series is a truly spectacular piece of kit: the Mustang Dark Horse R. This isn’t your standard road car with a roll cage bolted in; it’s a turnkey, track-only race car engineered by Ford Performance specifically for competition. Designed to offer thrilling performance and durability straight out of the box, it levels the playing field and makes high-performance racing more accessible.
Australian fans have already had a taste of what the Dark Horse R can do. Young Aussie driver Cameron McLeod (no relation) recently put on a clinic at the Le Mans 24 Hours, winning two Mustang Challenge invitational races on the global stage and showcasing the car’s immense capabilities.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance, commented on the car’s purpose. “The Mustang Dark Horse R was designed to be a turnkey race car to provide a thrilling, accessible, and competitive platform for drivers,” he said. “Seeing it embraced by our team in Australia and set to form a new national championship is fantastic”.
The Team Behind the Dream
An ambitious series like this requires a crack team to run it. Ford Performance has partnered with Driving Solutions, led by the experienced duo of James Stewart and Jo Higson, to manage and promote Mustang Cup Australia. Driving Solutions is no stranger to the Blue Oval, having recently supported the logistics for the class-winning Ford Performance Finke Desert Race campaign. To ensure a steady hand on the tiller, respected Australian motorsport administrator Liam Curkpatrick has been appointed as the Category Manager.
“We are incredibly proud and excited to partner with Ford Performance to bring Mustang Cup Australia to life,” said James Stewart, Director of Driving Solutions. “Our aim is to build a professional, competitive, and accessible series that provides a fantastic opportunity for young drivers to hone their skills, and for experienced drivers to enjoy racing a high-performance and market-relevant race car”.
The series has been officially ratified by Motorsport Australia and will be integrated into the SRO SpeedSeries platform, ensuring strong event promotion and, crucially for fans, free-to-air television coverage.
A New Chapter in a Legendary Rivalry
The Mustang’s racing heritage in Australia is long and storied, stretching back to the glory days of the Australian Touring Car Championship. This new series adds another thrilling chapter to that legacy.
“Mustang holds a special place in the hearts of Australians, and a dedicated one-make series featuring the Dark Horse R is a natural and incredibly exciting fit for our market,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia. “This new championship provides a clear pathway for aspiring drivers and adds another thrilling dimension to the Mustang’s legendary racing heritage down under. We can’t wait for 2026 to see these incredible cars battling it out on tracks all over Australia”.
While further details on technical regulations and the entry process will be announced in due course, expressions of interest are already open for teams and drivers keen to be on the grid in 2026. One thing is certain: the thundering sound of a full grid of Dark Horse R Mustangs is going to be a welcome addition to the Australian motorsport landscape.
