Ford Mustang GT3 will contend for the overall victory this weekend at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GT-only Michelin GT Challenge. The classic Virginia International Raceway (VIR) will host the GTD PRO and GTD machinery on its 17 demanding turns from August 21-23 . A nearly full complement of the Ford Racing Sports Car Pyramid line-up will be on display. The Mustang GT4 will fight for the GS class of the Michelin Pilot Challenge and the GSX class of the VP Racing Sports Car Challenge. The penultimate round of Ford Racing's Mustang Challenge North America one-make series featuring the Dark Horse R will have a pair of races on the Southern Virginia-area race course.
FAST FACT
- The Mustang Dark Horse SC will serve as the official safety car for the race week. The supercharged Mustang is powered by a 5.2L supercharged cross-plane crank V8 engine, producing 795 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque.
- Ford has led its respective classes into the green flag of the featured race on multiple occasions, which include: Consecutive poles by the Ford GT in 2017 and 2018, as well as the first global pole position by the Mustang GT3 in 2024.
- Ford Racing Driver Development Team member Finn Wiebelhaus makes his Michelin Pilot Challenge debut. The 2025 ADAC GT Masters Champion and DTM podium winner has primarily competed in the Mustang GT3 the last two seasons.
DRIVER QUOTES
DENNIS OLSEN, No. 64 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “We are well prepared for VIR. We just tested there and the Mustang GT3 felt really good. VIR is a really cool track where you have to be very precise. We are ready for the fight.”
BEN BARKER, No. 64 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “I’m really looking forward to VIR. It will be good to be the main show, with GTD PRO being the top class there. Track positioning will be key as it’s hard to overtake. We are as ready as we’ll ever be and we’re hoping we can leave with a good result.”
FRÉDÉRIC VERVISCH, No. 65 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “Last year at VIR we got hit at the start so we hope to avoid any drama this time and close up the gap at the top of the table. VIR is a fast and flowing, old school track that I really enjoy. It’s cool to have a GT-only race too so let’s hope our Mustang GT3 is fighting for the outright win this time.”
CHRISTOPHER MIES, No. 65 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “We are still in the championship fight, less than 100 points behind first, sitting fourth. We had a decent result at Road America and I hope we can continue this at VIR. We completed a good two-day test there and found a good set up for the Mustang GT3 so it would be great if that results in a trip to the podium. That would be a well-deserved reward for the team.”
FELIPE FRAGA, No. 16 Myers Riley Motorsports Mustang GT3 – “It will be my first time racing at VIR, so I’ve been putting in a lot of preparation on the simulator. I’m really looking forward to getting on track, learning quickly, and having a strong weekend with Myers Riley Motorsports.”
SHEENA MONK, No. 16 Myers Riley Motorsports Mustang GT3 – “After the unfortunate situation in the opening moments at Road America, I’d like to bounce back strong at VIR. The team has worked diligently to rebuild our Mustang GT3, and I hope Felipe and I can reward their efforts.”
COREY LEWIS, No. 66 Gradient Racing Mustang GT3 – “We have two sprint races left in the season, and I’m very excited to get the weekend going at one of my favorite tracks on the calendar, Virginia International Raceway. The entire Gradient Racing team has been working extremely hard all season long, and I know Jake Walker and I will be pushing hard to get the results we know we deserve.”
JAKE WALKER, No. 66 Gradient Racing Mustang GT3 – It was great to be back driving with Joey Hand at Road America, and I’m really glad to see him healthy and back in the car. I’m looking forward to Virginia International Raceway and getting to drive with Corey Lewis. Road America was a tough weekend for us, but we’ll keep working hard and look to come back stronger at Virginia International Raceway.”
FINN WIEBELHAUS, No. 13 McCumbee McAleer Racing Mustang GT4 – “I’m really grateful for this new opportunity to race in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with the Ford Mustang GT4 alongside Robert Noaker. The Ford Racing Driver Development Team gives me an incredible opportunity to learn, grow and gain experience in a new championship and environment. I’m really proud and excited to begin this new chapter with Ford Racing and McCumbee McAleer Racing.”
