Le Mans (FR), June 6, 2025 - Belgian racing team TeamFloral is preparing for a special milestone: their participation in the prestigious Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational. And it’s not just any entry. The team will line up on the grid at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe with two drivers from the Ford Performance Junior Team: Nathan Vanspringel and Jenson Altzman.
For TeamFloral, this marks not only a major sporting moment but also a tremendous honour. Taking part in the support programme of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the world’s biggest motorsport event – is a reward for years of dedication, passion and hard work. “This is what we work for every day. The collaboration with Ford Performance, the drivers, and the trust they place in us means a great deal,” says team manager Jean-Marc Valckenaere.
A unique platform: the Mustang Challenge at Le Mans
The Mustang Challenge is a new, spectacular single-make racing series that shines a spotlight on the iconic Ford Mustang. Drivers compete in identical Mustang Dark Horse R cars, which sit between the street-legal Dark Horse and the Mustang GT4 in terms of performance. Typically held in the United States, the series is coming to Europe for the first time.
As part of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race weekend, the series now takes on a global stage with a special edition: the Le Mans Invitational.
Two Ford Performance Junior Drivers at the wheel with TeamFloral
Mustang Challenge drivers — including Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley, a regular on the grid — will be joined at Le Mans by a diverse group of guest entrants participating exclusively for this event. Several well-known names from various racing backgrounds are expected, including Tanner Foust, Chris Harris, Frankie Muniz, Chelsea DeNofa, and others.
TeamFloral will take on the challenge with two young drivers from the Ford Performance Junior Team. This programme was created to guide promising young talent to the highest levels of motorsport. Ford Performance offers them a clear development pathway: from the Mustang Challenge to GT4, GT3, and eventually to Hypercar (starting in 2027) or even Formula 1 (from 2026).
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| Nathan Vanspringel (BEL) | Jenson Altzman (USA) |
All six Ford Performance Junior Team drivers will be competing in the Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational. With Belgian driver Nathan Vanspringel and American Jenson Altzman, TeamFloral brings two highly promising names to the grid.
Nathan Vanspringel, 22 years old from Belgium, is a well-known talent in the Benelux region who made his mark in various junior championships. He is now in his second season with TeamFloral in the European GT4 Series, driving a Mustang GT4. “I still vividly remember how my love for Le Mans started. Back in 2016, I was a student, sitting in my dad’s garage, watching the 24 Hours of Le Mans on TV. I saw Ford win in the GTE Pro class. That’s when I started dreaming of racing there one day. And now, here I am.”
Jenson Altzman, 23 years old from the United States, is considered one of the rising stars within the Ford Performance programme. He competes with a Mustang GT4 in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and made his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in April, driving a Mustang GT3. “As a kid, I always dreamed of racing at Le Mans,” Altzman says. “To be able to do it now, at such an iconic event, with Ford Performance and TeamFloral, is just incredible.”
Familiar faces, new challenge
Although the Mustang Challenge and the Le Mans circuit are new territory for both drivers, Nathan Vanspringel will be working with a familiar crew: “I’m really looking forward to working again with my GT4 crew at TeamFloral. They’ve been doing a great job from the very beginning, and I’m excited to share this new adventure with them.”
Altzman shares the excitement: “I’m happy to be teaming up with Nathan for this event at TeamFloral. We met at the Ford Performance Tech Center, and we immediately clicked. It’s going to be an amazing experience to race together with the support of Jean-Marc and the whole team.”
All set for a spectacular Le Mans weekend with Ford Performance
Preparations for the Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational are reaching their final stages. A large fleet of Mustang Dark Horse R cars is on its way to France in what is a major logistics operation. 22 cars are being flown aboard a Boeing 747 to Frankfurt, while more than 20 others are being shipped by sea to the port of Antwerp.
For this special occasion, TeamFloral can count on the valued support of partners Idelco and Krismar Motorhomes, who are helping the team turn this international challenge into a success. Their commitment plays a key role in both the preparation and the team’s presence at a venue like Le Mans.
For the drivers and their teams, the Mustang Challenge Invitational 2025 will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With two Mustangs on the grid, TeamFloral affirms its growing presence on the international motorsport stage.
The first on-track action at Le Mans begins on Wednesday with two free practice sessions. The full schedule is as follows:
Wednesday 11/06
- 10h00 - 10h45: Free Practice 1
- 17h30 - 18h15: Free Practice 2
Thursday 12/06
- 10h30 - 11h15: Qualifying Practice Sessions 1 + 2
Friday 13/06
Saturday 14/06