03-04-08: After months of anticipating the delivery of their new Ford Mustang FR500S race cars, 19 competitors in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup received their keys during the official series launch this past weekend at Miller Motorsports Park.
Festivities got underway on Friday night with a reception in Salt Lake City, where Miller Motorsports Park owner Larry H. Miller and Ford Racing Performance Group manager Jamie Allison addressed the anxious teams and drivers. On Saturday the teams assembled at Miller Motorsports Park to meet with series officials and attend a number of seminars to help them prepare to compete in the series. The seminars dealt with car set-up, parts availability, the BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires, the data-acquisition system and the various mechanical parts and systems on the cars. Competitors were also able to complete their registration duties and have photos taken for their identification cards.
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“The entire process of how we put this event together was the result of years of experience in other racing series among our staff,” said series director Lynda Randall. “I think it was unprecedented in my long history in the sport, and a great way to kick off what we are sure is going to be a very competitive and fun series.”
The most exciting part of the event came when the cars were delivered to each owner on Saturday afternoon. The drivers jumped into their new FR500S vehicles to participate in open track sessions for the remainder of the day. For those who couldn’t get enough of their new Mustang, there were more open track sessions available on Sunday.
The new car owners were all very much looking forward to competing in this new championship series, one that should be a favorite with racers and fans alike.
“It feels really special be a part of this chapter in Ford’s history, especially in this new series,” said new owner Andrew Hendricks of StableOne Racing. “You’re bringing back the golden age of Mustang racing. These are purpose-built factory race cars, and that’s what this is all about; getting set up in these cars to do something fantastic, building this program up and getting this series off the ground. That’s what we’re all here for.”
The inaugural season of the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup will kick off at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., on May 3, 2008 for the first of eight races.
For more information on the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup, visit the series’ website at www.MillerCup.com.
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