Ford Innovation Test Drive
#19
OK... I wanted to get the pics posted while the server was being nice to me..probably something I am doing wrong.
Yeah I did get to take a new Mustang GT around the short autocross course they had set up.
Background: My brother-in-law and I arrived at KY Speedway at 9 AM and the event was right on the infield of the track. We drove my car (92 LX 5.0 hatch) and parked right behind the infield garage area. We got signed in at the event registration - they already had our names as I had signed up a few weeks ago.
Once in, they had a Windveil Blue GT right up front on display along with a new 500 and the Ford GT I have posted pics of. We walked past the Ford Racing display and got in line to drive one of the Mustang GTs (they also had 1 V6 auto).
We waited in line about 20 minutes before each getting into our rides. Everyone was accelerating hard down the first straightaway chirping 2nd gear. All the cars had "minders" in them telling us not to speed shift and when to BRAKE!!!
The 5 speed shifter is nice, not quite as short throw and stout as the aftermarket shifetr I have on my 5.0, but nicely placed and easy to use. The clutch is like butter - hydraulic I guess - and shifts smooth. Acceleration is smooth even as I had the pedal burried to redline in 1st and 2nd before my minder said BRAKE!!!
Handling setup is a good compromise between an autocrosser and daily driving. Under hard braking, like most cars I guess, the nose noticeably dips and the rear wanted to scoot to the left, but the brakes work well to get the car slowed quickly. Punching the accelerator in 2nd gear gets you up to speed quickly - throttle response with the electronic control is good, but my 5.0 feels quicker.
I caught up to the GT in front of me half way through my lap, so I had to slow down - rats!!
We all had special event passes that they punched, so we only got one lap in the Mustang GT. Rats again!! Too much organization Ford, but a great event well done.
The Ford Racing guy told me that Ford is jointly developing a supercharger with Whipple. A blower on this car will be fantastic and be the added punch needed to complement the refined interior, CONFORTABLE and supporting drivers seat (I broke my back in the Army and need a nice seat) and overall classic looks.
The question is not whether I will be getting an 05/06 Mustang GT, but when. I'll probably have to wait until next summer or fall for $ reasons.
Ford Innovation Drive - well worth the trip!!!
Yeah I did get to take a new Mustang GT around the short autocross course they had set up.
Background: My brother-in-law and I arrived at KY Speedway at 9 AM and the event was right on the infield of the track. We drove my car (92 LX 5.0 hatch) and parked right behind the infield garage area. We got signed in at the event registration - they already had our names as I had signed up a few weeks ago.
Once in, they had a Windveil Blue GT right up front on display along with a new 500 and the Ford GT I have posted pics of. We walked past the Ford Racing display and got in line to drive one of the Mustang GTs (they also had 1 V6 auto).
We waited in line about 20 minutes before each getting into our rides. Everyone was accelerating hard down the first straightaway chirping 2nd gear. All the cars had "minders" in them telling us not to speed shift and when to BRAKE!!!
The 5 speed shifter is nice, not quite as short throw and stout as the aftermarket shifetr I have on my 5.0, but nicely placed and easy to use. The clutch is like butter - hydraulic I guess - and shifts smooth. Acceleration is smooth even as I had the pedal burried to redline in 1st and 2nd before my minder said BRAKE!!!
Handling setup is a good compromise between an autocrosser and daily driving. Under hard braking, like most cars I guess, the nose noticeably dips and the rear wanted to scoot to the left, but the brakes work well to get the car slowed quickly. Punching the accelerator in 2nd gear gets you up to speed quickly - throttle response with the electronic control is good, but my 5.0 feels quicker.
I caught up to the GT in front of me half way through my lap, so I had to slow down - rats!!
We all had special event passes that they punched, so we only got one lap in the Mustang GT. Rats again!! Too much organization Ford, but a great event well done.
The Ford Racing guy told me that Ford is jointly developing a supercharger with Whipple. A blower on this car will be fantastic and be the added punch needed to complement the refined interior, CONFORTABLE and supporting drivers seat (I broke my back in the Army and need a nice seat) and overall classic looks.
The question is not whether I will be getting an 05/06 Mustang GT, but when. I'll probably have to wait until next summer or fall for $ reasons.
Ford Innovation Drive - well worth the trip!!!