Apex Wheels Is the Homologated Wheel of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R

Article | 07/31/2026 by Jon Jarvis

Updated on 08/07/2026

What is the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R?

The Ford Mustang Dark Horse R is the factory-built, track-only evolution of the street-going Dark Horse, developed by Ford Performance specifically for organized wheel-to-wheel competition. Built on the seventh-generation S650 Mustang platform, the Dark Horse R comes race-ready from the factory with an FIA-certified roll cage, racing fuel cell, rear wing, upgraded brakes, tow hooks, and a revised exhaust system. Power comes from the same 5.0L Coyote V8 paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, with an anti-lock braking system tuned for circuit use. Priced at approximately $150,000 the Dark Horse R is sold through Ford Performance's Multimatic Motorsports allocation program, meaning you don't just walk in and buy one. It's a purpose-built racing machine designed to be the foundation of Ford's entire sports car racing pyramid, from grassroots club racing all the way up to GT4 and GT3 programs.

How did Apex Wheels get involved?

When Ford Performance made the decision to move the Mustang Dark Horse R race program to an 18" wheel, something remarkable happened internally — Ford employees independently recommended Apex Wheels without being prompted. That kind of organic, word-of-mouth validation from inside one of the world's largest automakers doesn't happen by accident. It's the result of over a decade of Apex building wheels that serious drivers and engineers actually trust. A few years ago, that recommendation became official as Apex Wheels was chosen and validated by Ford Performance as the homologated wheel for the Mustang Dark Horse R, competing in both the IMSA Mustang Challenge and the newly launched USAC-sanctioned Mustang Cup series as of 2025. This makes the 18x11" VS-5RE the spec wheel for every car on the grid and fresh from the factory assembly line.

Image by Holt Visuals

What is the Mustang Challenge?

The IMSA Mustang Challenge: a one-make series launched in 2024 featuring the Dark Horse R, sanctioned by IMSA and running alongside major IMSA SportsCar Championship weekends. Tracks like Sebring, Laguna Seca, Mid Ohio, Watkins Glen, COTA, and the Le Mans invitational are home for these cars. For 2025, Ford Performance upgraded the car specifically to the 18" VS-5RE, replacing the previous 19" setup. The new wheel and tire combination was determined to be faster, lighter, and more drivable with the 30/68-18 Michelin Slick.

What is the Mustang Cup?

The Mustang Cup is Ford's entry-level USAC (United States Auto Club) sanctioned series that debuted in spring 2025. It was designed as the beginning of the Ford Racing Pyramid. It bridges the gap between track days and the Mustang Challenge. Same Dark Horse R car, same VS-5RE wheels, six doubleheader weekends at tracks like Sebring, Barber Motorsports Park, Circuit of the Americas, Virginia International Raceway, Road America, and Road Atlanta. Two championships within the series: the Parnelli Cup and Miles Cup, named after legends Parnelli Jones and Ken Miles. The goal is to start in the Mustang Cup, move up to the Mustang Challenge, and then on to GT4 and GT3 racing.

Why the VS-5RE Was Chosen

The VS-5RE is part of Apex's Enduro Line: Engineered for wheel-to-wheel competition where strength matters more than outright weight savings. The Enduro Line represents our most track focused Forged Wheels. It's approximately 30% stronger than the RS version, runs a 2,100 lb load rating with CNC-machined pockets to reduce rotational inertia, features unpainted knurled beads for tire grip under repeated hard braking, and accommodates oversized race lugs and impact sockets for fast pit changes. The 18x11" square setup also enables full front-to-rear tire rotation, lowering consumable costs for racers across a full season.

Image by Holt Visuals

Can I buy the same wheel the racecars use?

The same wheel trusted by Ford Performance at the highest levels of Mustang racing is available for your street or track car. The VS-5RE is available for the S650 Mustang platform, as well as the older S550 and S197 platforms. Apex's fitment guides make it easy to spec the right setup. Whether you're running HPDEs, chasing lap times, or just want the wheel that Ford chose, we’ve got you covered.

Apex Wheels Is the Homologated Wheel of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R

IMSA Mustang Challenge at Laguna Seca