The Mustang has been a race car as long as it’s been in production, initially in the Trans-Am series in the 1960s and 1970s, then more recently in the Grand-Am series. That tradition will continue in the all-new 2008 FR500S, designed for the Mustang spec series entitled the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup.

Based around a production 4.6L V8 built by Ford, the rest of the car is assembled on a production line at AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan. The motor is then sealed and dyno-tested at Roush Industries, also in Michigan. The process makes the FR500S one of the few production-built cars intended specifically for racing. Priced at $75,000 the FR500S competes with some of the after market and custom Shelby and Roush mustangs already available - and it’s a full-race car.

Other Mustang-based racers include the FR500C, which competes in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge series and is FIA GT4 registered, and the FR500GT, which is registered as a FIA GT3 car. Through its multi-level sponsorship, Ford is offering drivers a chance to progress through the racing ranks while maintain familiar surroundings in Mustangs of different configurations.