[1] The car resembles the track day-focused Dark Horse S, but features unique wheels and a racing fuel cell on top of the FIA roll cage, tow hooks, upgraded brakes, rear wing, and re-designed exhaust system featured on the Dark Horse S.[2] The Dark Horse R additionally features a six-speed manual gearbox and an anti-lock braking system, with a base price of approximately $150,000.

The series would be managed by the Ford Performance Racing School and officially sanctioned by IMSA.

[5] The champion, for instance, received a cash prize of $40,000 or a $100,000 scholarship towards a seat in a Ford Mustang GT3 or GT4 entry.

[6] This allowed the series to operate as the first step of an internal ladder for Ford Performance's GT-racing efforts, in which drivers could begin competing in Mustang Challenge races before progressing to a GT3 seat through exceptional performance.

The season began at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in June, before visiting Watkins Glen International and Road America in support of the IMSA SportsCar Championship later in the summer.