The new Ford Mustang GT Gen3 Supercar was unveiled at Mount Panorama with a display by Bathurst legend Dick Johnson.
The seventh-generation Mustang will be Ford’s weapon of choice starting in 2023, when it will take on the Chevrolet Camaro as Supercars abandons the Holden era and switches to a future GT two-door.
The 2023 Supercar version of the Mustang was unveiled in the Mount Panorama pit lane on Thursday afternoon.
Three-time Bathurst 1000 winner Dick Johnson will lap the car in a demo at 3:30 pm local time.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, accompanied by video link:
“It’s fantastic to be able to show the seventh-generation Mustang in racing form for the first time globally,” said Rushbrook.
“The introduction of the Mustang Supercar is the first of many, with Mustang competing in GT3, GT4, NASCAR and NHRA 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 that 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. His first race, alongside the Camaro, will be on March 11 next year on the streets of Newcastle.
The Ford will be powered by a production Coyote V8 engine with 11 Fords set to be on the grid in 2023, up from nine in 2022.
DJR, Tickford Racing, Grove Racing and Blanchard Racing Team will continue with the Blue Oval with Walkinshaw Andretti United switching from Commodores to Mustangs next year.
Three-time Bathurst winner Dick Johnson became the first person to drive the new Gen3 Ford Mustang at the iconic Mount Panorama Speedway.
“My team and I have been racing Ford for over 40 years,” Johnson said.
“We are very proud representatives and ambassadors of the Blue Oval.
“We have been working very hard to make this car the best it can be for the last two years.
“Being the first person in the world to drive it after all that work is fantastic.
“Any chance to drive around Mount Panorama is amazing, but doing it in Ford’s latest race car is an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.
Johnson’s team will record its 1,000th race in ATCC/Supercars on Sunday.
It will be the first team to achieve the feat, with both Shell V-Power Racing Team Mustangs sporting a tribute livery.