Some things are just hard to say “no” to. And an opportunity to stampede down the Mulsanne Straight at the Circuit de la Sarthe in a race-ready Ford Mustang is one of those things.

As a result, 40 Mustang Dark Horse R race cars have been divvied up among an international cast of racers, including the best of Mustang Challenge, our Ford Performance Junior Team.

You’ll want to read on to see what other celebrities will be driving, many of whom you don’t typically see behind the wheel of Ford Performance’s one-make machine.

Who: Over 35 drivers from around the world with varying skill sets.

From those new to the sport to champions, it’s a group connected by the desire to race the Mustang Dark Horse R on the world’s most famous sports car track.

We have our Mustang Challenge regulars Robert Noaker (2024 Dark Horse class champion) and Alex Bachoura (2024 Dark Horse Legends class champion). Additionally, for the first time, all six of our Ford Performance Junior Team drivers will go head to head. We’re also bringing in six Dark Horse Stars class drivers who come from outside our Mustang one-make world.

What: Mustang Challenge makes its first series start outside the U.S.

Ford Performance Motorsports’ global sports car racing platform, Mustang, will make its first series start outside of the United States on June 12-14, during one of motorsports’ most recognized endurance racing events, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The throaty Coyote engine note will echo down the Mulsanne Straight in two feature races. The first is on Friday, June 13, and the second during the morning buildup to the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14.

When (all times local): June 11-14

On Wednesday, June 11, there will be two 45-minute practice sessions at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

On Thursday, June 12, at 11 a.m., there will be a 45-minute qualifying session to set the grid for Race 1 and allow the team to set up for Friday morning’s first race start.

The big moment comes on Friday, June 13, with a 45-minute race beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by Race 2 on Saturday, June 14, at 8:25 a.m. before the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For these drivers and their families, it’s nearly impossible to imagine the excitement of racing on the sports car world’s biggest stage.

Tune in for the live streams of Race 1 and Race 2.

Wow: The thrill and the talent.

The race might be the “wow” moment for our drivers and teams, but for our fans, it’s probably found in our Dark Horse Stars class.

Unique to this round of Mustang Challenge, the Le Mans Invitational will feature a third class of racers, in addition to the already formed Dark Horse and Dark Horse Legends class. The Dark Horse Stars class will feature racers from other motorsports, veteran sportscar operators, and more.

Wheels Up

Forty Mustang Dark Horse R race cars are being transported to Le Mans, France, for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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Joining us on the grid this year will be six-time Olympic gold medalist and 11-time World Champion in track cycling, Sir Chris Hoy, who is racing for his charity to draw attention to prostate cancer research. Sir Chris will drive in Race 1, before turning his Mustang over to automotive journalist Chris Harris for Race 2.

Ford Formula Drift drivers are represented by Champion Chelsea DeNofa and Tanner Foust, a 10-time X Games medalist, three-time RallyCross champion, and two-time Formula Drift titlist.

Actor-turned-racer Frankie Muniz will make his second appearance in the Mustang Challenge. Muniz, a regular NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver at the wheel of a Ford F-150, is making his Le Mans debut in the Invitational.

And putting his stamp of approval on the Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational is my boss, Ford Motor Company President and CEO Jim Farley. This is no playtime for Jim. He is a committed racer and knows the importance of the sport to the overall health of Ford as a company. It will be exciting to have Jim in the field with us.

That is the “wow” factor. I hope you will join us at Le Mans or live for Race 1 and Race 2 on our Mustang Challenge YouTube Channel.

Chris Ward is global one-make series manager, Ford Performance