fox5

Ford Racing's newest Mustang racer is so turnkey, it comes with a window sticker. But it's not your average Monroney. For example, instead of options, it lists "Stuff It Doesn't Have." "Estimated annual champagne cost" replaces EPA numbers. And warranty coverage is described as "What, you expected five years/50,000 miles?" You can't say Dan Davis and the rest of the track rats at Ford Racing don't have a sense of humor.

The conversion from Mustang GT to FR500S is straightforward: Strip the car of about 300 lb of unnecessary street-car hardware, build in a full cage, give it a stiffer suspension, lowered right height, Borla exhaust system, single racing seat and six-point harness, adjustable shocks, an aggressive front splitter, a serious rear wing, an AIM instrument and data acquisition system, strut tower brace, and you're track ready. The rear and side quarter windows are made of lightweight Lexan. The 4.6L V-8 remains internally stock, but freer breathing on the intake and exhaust tracts results in 325 hp (the stock GT cranks out 300). Other hardware changes include GT500-spec alloy wheels and 14-in. Brembo front brakes, sticky racing slicks, an on-board fire system, quick-disconnect racing steering wheel, a six-speed tranny in place of the normal five-speeder, and a 3:73 rear gear. The aforementioned list of "Stuff It Doesn't Have" is about as interesting. No radio, A/C, rear seat, sound-deadening, carpeting, spare tire, heater, ignition key, side windows, or insulation. Cupholders? Uh, no.


What makes the FR500S most unique is that it's built at Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan, assembly plant by UAW line workers, not farmed out to an independent shop as are most race-build projects. Although you can buy one for use as a weekend club racer (it's not street legal), its main reason for being is to compete in the new seven-race Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cub series, which was launched in May at Road Atlanta. The Mustang Challenge season wraps at (the rather fabulous) Miller Motorsports Park in Utah, with a doubleheader event September 19-21. The car costs $75,000 ready to race, and you'd be hard pressed to build it from scratch for much less. To date, Ford has done 75 or so (one report says 77) FR500Ss. As of this writing, new cars are still available, and if the series plays well and the cars all sell, it will be run again, and possibly expanded next year.

Driving one during a recent visit to Miller, and three words describe the experience: Fun, fun, and fun. Take weight out of the standard Mustang, lower it, stiffen the chassis (a secondary benefit of the rollcage, besides the obvious need for driver protection), put it on stickies, add a bit of power and shorter gearing, and the car comes alive. The cornering limits are far higher than those of any street version. Although it's highly responsive, this is no bite-you-in-the-butt, hair-trigger racer. It's stable, predictable, and sounds great. You'll get comfortable in it quickly, and with that comes speed and the aforementioned fun. You most notice the chassis improvements in the steering, as the car has sharper turn-in and better communication than any stock street Mustang could. Naturally there's more grip to be found, thanks to the racing tires, and there's little body roll, too, although there's still enough compliance to keep the car from becoming twitchy, breakaway too quickly at the limit. It's a race car, a fast one even, but not scary -- perfect for learning the game of racing.


If the FR500S has a down side, it's that the chassis is now so much more capable, it would handle 75-100 more hp without being unbalanced. But this series is as much about consistency as pure speed, and not having monster power puts increased focus on braking, cornering technique, and individual race craft. If the driver shows skill, has the budget (or sponsorship) and wants to step up, Ford has several more offerings up the ladder, including the FR500C, and the Shelby GT500-based FR500GT.

As Ford celebrates the Model T's 100th birthday, one wonders what old Henry would think about racing Mustangs being built in his factory. And to put a new twist on Mr. Ford's famous saying, "You can have any color you wish, so long as it is white."