Why Did Mustang Compete in DTM?

By Jerry Perez - February 8, 2017

Aside From Wondering the Reason for Ford’s Involvement, We Also Question Whether They Would Consider a Mustang Return to DTM?

Despite the new and very track-capable Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT350R, one doesn’t typically associate America’s pony car with German circuit racing. Especially the Deutsche Touring Masters (DTM), which is the pinnacle of German sports car racing.

Perhaps that’s why we were hugely surprised to notice a Fox Body Ford Mustang mincing it up with Mercedes AMGs and BMW M cars in the 1991 DTM season. That’s right. While watching the above video of the then-called German Touring Car Championship (GTC), we noticed the American sports car stick out like a sore thumb. After all, the rest of the field was made up of Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW race cars. What in the world was a Ford Mustang doing there?

The answer is: we don’t know. In fact, we’re hoping you know, and can fill us in. After lengthy research, we’ve found several photographs and stats that record the Mustang’s involvement in DTM, but nothing that explains why? There’s got to be a reason why Ford Motor Company, or maybe their German distributors, felt like they should compete in the all-German championship.

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The most popular of the Mustang DTM race cars was piloted by Gerd Ruch. His Fox Body Mustang is a bit of a legend among European racing fanatics, given its reputation for big sound and big flames out of the exhaust. The white No. 22 Mustang featured a 5.0 V8, which produced a thunderous 540 horsepower. The entire racing outfit tipped the scales at 1,100 kilos, which translates into roughly 2,400 pounds. Not the lightest of the field, but certainly the most powerful.

Aside from wondering the reason for Ford’s involvement, we also question whether they would consider a Mustang return to DTM? Currently, manufacturers like Nissan and Volvo participate in the German championship, which could present a good opportunity for a return. Especially now, given the fact the Mustang is sold globally and not just in North America.

What do you think? Let us know, and don’t forget to drop us a line if you know more about the Mustang DTM!