Ford revives factory Australian Supercars programme with new Mustang for 2019

Ford Australia will revive its factory Supercars programme in 2019 and bring the Mustang bodyshape to the series.

Since withdrawing from Australian Supercars as a works entrant at the end of 2015, Ford’s involvement has been based on licensing agreements with Tickford Racing and DJR Team Penske rather than genuine funding.

That will change next season, with Ford Australia tying the introduction of the Ford Performance brand to its local arm with a renewed investment in Supercars.

Ford’s involvement will be underpinned by a technical alliance with Tickford Racing and DJR Team Penske to develop a new two-door Mustang Supercar.

The current Ford teams have been evaluating the Mustang as a replacement to the FG-X since 2016 and the new Ford deal clears the funding and IP permissions hurdles.

It will be the first two-door model to make use of the Gen2 regulations and be powered by the five-litre V8 engine.

The now four-year-old Ford FG-X has struggled to match the pace of the brand new ZB Commodore this season, but did claim both victories at Phillip Island last weekend with Scott Mclaughlin picking up a maximum score to claim the points lead.

The Mustang name also returns to the top tier of NASCAR in 2019, with Ford replacing its Fusion model with the iconic name for its new car. Chevy (for 2018) and Toyota (for 2017) have both introduced new cars recently and Ford hasn’t won a Cup Series title since 2004 with Kurt Busch. The Mustang name has been used in the Cup Series-supporting Xfinity championship.