Dragstrip Double Date In a Shelby GT500 Takes a Bad Turn
Despite the weight penalty of having three extra people in the car, the Shelby launches hard and actually begins to pull on the Hellcat.
Drag racing is arguably the most accessible form of motorsport. However, “accessible” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s any safer that any other form of racing. This video from Twitch user Murda drives that point home quite concisely–Shelby style.
In the video, shared by CarScoops, we can see a 2007-2009 Shelby GT500 lining up to race against a Dodge Charger Hellcat. Inside of the Shelby GT500 are two pairs of teens on a double date.
And of course, it is up against a Dodge Charger Hellcat – a formidable opponent any way you slice it.
Bad End to a Bad Date
Stock, these cars made 500 horsepower and 480 lb/ft of torque at the crank. Back in 2007, that was good enough for quarter-mile times in the mid-12s, right off the showroom floor. Given the aftermarket wheels on the car (shod with sticky Toyo Proxes R888R tires, according to the narrator) and the windshield banner, it’s a safe bet to say that this GT500 is modified.
Despite the weight penalty of having three extra people in the car, the GT500 launches hard. It actually begins to pull on the Hellcat. However, disaster soon strikes. The Mustang loses traction and careens toward the Jersey barrier on the left of the track.
Our hearts sink as the car makes contact, smacking the barrier hard enough to momentarily lift the rear end of the car off the ground. We hope that everyone is okay, and we’re thankful that the car didn’t go into the opposite lane, which would have caused an even worse accident.
Regardless of the risks, racing at a track like this is still safer than racing on the street. It’s a controlled environment with a prepared surface, so accidents are less likely to happen. When they do, medical professionals are standing by, ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice.
We aren’t going to tell you not to race your car. However, if you do, you should be aware of the risks.