New Mustangs in Grand Am

[kary]

They did well while still not completely sorted. They made some significant modifications from the street Mustang, but they looks pretty good against all the cars in the field particularly the Porsche's. Anybody have any other information about them?

Loved the retro look!

[Tim Comeau]

They look good, but I wonder what, if any, concessions were made to make them competitive. Sanctioning bodies love to lure new manufacturers in by instituting "creative allowances" and
the fans love to see their favorite brand being raced. I like the variety of cars, but it's tough to keep the field level, huh? That's pro racing....

[MikeD]

I didn't get a chance to watch the Grand Am race, but I am NOT very impressed with the new Mustang. I rented one for about a week and a half a couple weeks ago. I got a chance to take it for a drive in the hills of Napa. Not very much fun. Of course it was the 4.0L V6, so maybe, just maybe the GT or Cobra will have a decent suspension.

The car is HUGE!!! Or at least feels that way. Even after a week and a half I had a hard time figuring out where the right front of the car was. I found it extremely difficult to see over the monster (and useless) hood scoop. It felt roomy enough inside, but visibility (or lack thereof) made me feel claustrophobic. The suspension was just plain crapola. Great if you are looking for the Cadillac feel, but not even close if you are looking at a performance car.

OK, I know you guys don't really care about the Mustang, but I've been wanting to vent about that crap car for some time now...

[kary]

Mike,
During the race they talked about the changes they made to the mustang.
They explained that the entire suspension was replaced which is no surprise;however I was surprised to here that they had an entirely different v8.
In the end they driver made it sound like they had to do too much work to prepare this car given a stock specimen.
However much work it was they did a good job given this was their first race.
First and second place overall is very good!

Not sure how much it would take to make this mustang,but I think it would be a lot,likely the cost of a gt3,yikes!

[ttweed]

Not sure how much it would take to make this mustang,but I think it would be a lot,likely the cost of a gt3,yikes!

I heard the race-prepped version is $120K.

TT

[bryanearll]

Neighbor around the corner is a tech for Ford (older fellow and LOVES real old school muscle) he said the new Mustang GT ( and soon Sebring) will be very competitive but he believes that the motors are going to be cooked VERY quickly. "they are just asking TOO much from that motor"

(after which we had a nice long discussion on engine design)
Torque is made in stroke distance. Porsche was OK, but like I said he's old school. (The guy has about 20 race engines in his garage) "Can't you tell the difference between a Ford and Chevy engine son?"
Bryan

[martinreinhardt]

Check out the new Road & Track Magazine. It has a great article about the new Mustangs incl. the GTR written by Doug.

[MikeD]

Not sure how much it would take to make this mustang,but I think it would be a lot,likely the cost of a gt3,yikes!

I heard the race-prepped version is $120K.

TT

I talked to a guy selling a 2004 Viper Competition Coupe for $135K. Problem was that the engine needed to be rebuilt every third race (15 hours maybe?). I suspect the Mustang isn't going to be much better. The GT3 Cup is $180K but you can get a full season+ out of the motor.

[Curt]

They said over and over again on that Grand Am Cup race telecast that these Mustangs were competition cars bought direct from the factory for $125k. Then Dorsey Schrader went on to say that there is no way you could buy a stock Mustang and prep it to the level of these cars for as cheaply as you could buy it from Ford.

Those Mustangs made the Porsche 996's and 997's and the BMW M3's their b1tches in that race. It was almost embarrassing to be a European car fan while watching that beating we took. PLUS!!!!! and I am shocked to say it, in race car trim, those Mustangs looked AT LEAST as cool as the Porsche's and BMW's did. The Porsche's and BMW's were not factory built race cars though. They were way closer to production cars.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they are even allowing the Porsche Cup cars in the Grand Am CUP races anymore. I believe that the Porsche CUP cars are now in the regular Grand Am Rolex series and that the GT3-RS and GT3-RSR are no longer allowed in any of the Grand Am races at all.

[David J Marguglio]

Those Mustangs made the Porsche 996's and 997's and the BMW M3's their b1tches in that race. It was almost embarrassing to be a European car fan while watching that beating we took.

If you let me bring a gun to a knife fight, I will kick some a$$ too. Level playing field? These cars arent even in the same sport. This is the Patriots vs. San Diego State. The factory-built Mustangs were allowed to run in the Grand Am Cup race against stock 996 and 997's. Tthey should be in Roloex in GT class!

Since I have been involved in planning a two car 997 Grand Am Cup team, I can tell you that these cars are stock cars. You are permitted to strip the interior and not much else. Exhaust and shocks/springs are free, ajustable control arms, mono balls, etc. are not permitted. The engine, tranny, brakes, etc. etc. are all street stock.

In the other corner the Mustang has a completely modified suspension, MUCH larger brakes, race-bred crate motor, reinforced chassis, modified suspension geomotry, adjustable control arms, etc. etc. etc.

This mustang is a Factory Race Car and therefore should run against factory race cars (i.e. GT3 Cup). In a even race with a Cup car, I am quite certain the 'stang would have its live-axle-a$$ handed to it. Until then, Ford and its Bubba following can enjoy their lopsided wins.

Okay, I've said my peace.

[Curt]

It didn't seem right to me either, but I wasn't aware of the specs of the cars. If that's the case, the M3's did pretty well, but the 911's still need some work.

Good luck with this race team of yours. Can you tell us more about it?

[Jad]

It didn't seem right to me either, but I wasn't aware of the specs of the cars. If that's the case, the M3's did pretty well, but the 911's still need some work.

Good luck with this race team of yours. Can you tell us more about it?

Remember, basically every series is now a spec series. So if the Mustangs or M3's did well, they will change the rules to add weight to those cars or reduce it in the Porsche to make sure no one really wins easily. A Yugo could enter and win the class as they would be allowed to change every part, doesn't mean the Yugo is a good car, just the rules level the field to attract more entrees. The good side, it makes it more about driving and the team, than which brand you are paid to drive. Still waiting for the call to drive, and it will probably be from Yugo, but that OK with me Fun to cheer for Porsche though.