Ford / Lincoln GLOBAL FIRST: All-New Ford Mustang GT Supercars Race Car Revealed at Bathurst 1000

BATHURST, Australia, Oct. 6, 2022 – Ford has today revealed the first race-prepared seventh-generation Mustang, with the 2023 Mustang GT ‘Gen3’ Supercar uncovered at Mount Panorama ahead of the famous Bathurst 1000.

• In a world-first reveal, Seventh-Generation Mustang GT Supercar uncovered at Bathurst 1000
• The all-new Mustang GT Supercar will make its competitive debut in 2023 under the new ‘Gen3’ era
• The ‘Gen3’ Mustang GT Supercar is more closely aligned with its road-going brethren than ever before, including being powered by a 600+HP Ford Coyote V8 production-based engine
• Three-time Bathurst 1000 winner Dick Johnson will drive the car for its first laps around Mount Panorama on Thursday afternoon

BATHURST, Australia, Oct. 6, 2022 – Ford has today revealed the first race-prepared seventh-generation Mustang, with the 2023 Mustang GT ‘Gen3’ Supercar uncovered at Mount Panorama ahead of the famous Bathurst 1000.

Ford’s challenger for the 2023 Australian Supercars Championship was shown in pit lane this afternoon, in a global first appearance of the seventh-generation Mustang in racing guise.

The road-going variants of the seventh-generation Mustang were revealed in Detroit last month, with computer-generated images of the race cars shown at the same time.

“It is fantastic to be able to show, for the very first time globally, the seventh-generation Mustang in racing form,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports.

“The reveal of the Mustang Supercar is the first of many, with Mustang to race in GT3, GT4, NASCAR and NHRA competition globally.

“Mustang has been an iconic brand on and off the track for 58 years and its legend will continue around the world. We always say Mustang was born to race, and that is more true today than ever. The Mustang GT Supercar is ready to race in 2023.”

The Mustang Supercar has been built by Ford’s homologation team Dick Johnson Racing, in conjunction with Ford Performance, in preparation for the 2023 season when a new era of Supercars racing begins.

The Gen3 Mustang GT Supercar more closely resembles its road-going counterpart, with production-based Coyote V8 engine, low roofline and long hood that makes Mustang the world’s favourite sports car.

Ford supported teams in 2023, who will race the new Mustang, include Dick Johnson Racing, Tickford Racing, Grove Racing, Blanchard Racing Team and new to the Mustang stable, Walkinshaw Andretti United.

Johnson, the Ford legend whose namesake team is celebrating the incredible milestone of 1000 races this weekend, will drive the car for the first time this afternoon.

“We’re very proud to be showing the world our new Mustang Supercar, and what better place to do it than at the Great Race here at Mount Panorama,” said Andrew Birkic, president and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s a special moment to be able to uncover this car in front of passionate Ford fans, alongside all of our Supercars drivers. It’s very fitting that Dick will take the car for its first laps this afternoon. He’s a legend of the sport, and an incredible ambassador for Ford.

“This car looks sensational, it’s loud, it’s fast and we can’t wait to see it hit the track,” said Birkic.

The Bathurst 1000 kicks off today for practice, before qualifying on Friday. The 1000km race is on Sunday, October 9.

The seventh-generation Ford Mustang will hit Australian roads in late 2023.

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[KiwiRob]

Gen III is the stupidest idea that these guys have ever had, it’s not going to lead to bette racing, it’s not going to lead to more manufacturers joint, and even more ridiculous is the Gen III Camaro won’t even be sold in Australia in 18 months time.

V8 Supercars should have followed the DTM and moved to a GT3 based series, there’s far more manufacturers, and Bathurst with gun teams from Germany and other European countries would have been amazing.

 

[Matski]

At least it looks better than the Gen 2.

V8 Supercars should have followed the DTM and moved to a GT3 based series, there’s far more manufacturers, and Bathurst with gun teams from Germany and other European countries would have been amazing.

The difference in this scenario between DTM and the Aussie V8's is/was cost. DTM moved to the cheaper GT3 package, Class 1 was realistically manufacturer territory only. GT3 is quite a bit more expensive than Gen 3, as I understand it, so it's not really the same proposition. One got much cheaper to enter, the other would get more expensive.

I also don't think you'll get much fresh European blood in the sport, at least nothing beyond the teams that already race GT3 cars in GT Australia, why would they bother? They can race GT3 at home in any of the multiple GT3 series here, without having to worry about their sponsors being market relevant, or shipping stuff to the other side of the planet, and if Australia was worth it, there's already GT Australia, which is already mostly German cars, that already race at Bathurst.

It's personal preference, and although I do like GT3 (and GT4), I'm not that keen on everything being GT3, we're loosing too many interesting racing cars.

 

[KiwiRob]

During the Group A and Supertourer eras teams from Europe came down to race at Bathurst, it’s one of the best circuits in the world. European teams also come down for the Bathurst 24 hours.

Gen III is just more of the same market irrelevant vehicle types as what we have today. Except it’s going to be a lot slower.

A Gen III kit will cost 350k, then you have to assemble it so there’s the man hours involved in that. Engine you buy or assemble yourself, that’s additional. GT3 cars all look to be around 5-550k from
Audi, Porsche, Ferrari……..assembled and ready to race. The R8 is built on the same assembly line as the street cars, they are also market relevant, and have manufacturer support.