Just so everyone knows... I have uploaded all 50+ pictures I took today to Brad. He is in the process of resizing and putting them on the site. Keep an eye on this link for more info.
First off I have to say that I seriously underestimated the number of pictures I needed to take. You would think that 50+ would be enough but it was not even close. I could have taken another 50 of just Mustang shots. A lot of people wanted to see other cars as well so I will be taking care of that tomorrow. There is just so much to see and do!!!!
I must say that the highlight of the day was the Ford press conference. Jack Roush, Steve Saleen, Carroll Shelby and the guy from Steeda (I can’t remember his name) were all there. All but Carroll Shelby stood by their cars for photo ops. I got a couple of good pictures but some came out blurry. After the press conference, they drove the Steeda, Saleen, Rouch and GTR race car outside to a test track. From there Steve Saleen was giving rides around a track that they had set up out there to a select few. Not me of course..... I did however get to go for a ride in the new STEEDA (Sorry) version. What a great car!!!! More power than anyone would ever need... The course consisted of a straight away, a little corner, a slalom section and a skid pad. The guy that was driving the STEEDA did this huge burnout down the straight, drifted around the corner (Just a little because he was supposed to be going slow), quick through the slalom, and then tore it up on the skid pad!!! It was a blast!!! Burning rubber everywhere!!!
Then it was my turn to drive. I first got the pleasure of driving a 2004 Cobra with 700hp. Yep 700!!! It was crazy!!!! I did this huge burnout down the straight in first and kept it going into second....Crazy power!!! The slalom was fun but I kept it kind of slow... The skid pad was incredible!! I was able to keep the tires spinning both times around the circle!!! Too much fun for one person!!! Not really!! The handling and comfort in the car is definitely not up to the 05 but the power really took the focus off everything else!!
Next up for me to drive was the 05 GT. Mind you this was my first time driving one and now I want my Stang even more than before!!! The handling is as great as everyone says. I was able to do a nice burnout down the straight. Revved it up to just under 6000 rpm, let out the clutch and off we went!!! Smooth and powerful. The traction control will let you lay some serious rubber if you are going straight!!! Got down to the curves and slalom and the car handled great. Better than expected. Very predictable and comfortable. Next up was the skid pad. I tried and tried but for some reason I could not get the back end to kick out. I was so bummed. But then the guy in the passenger seat reminded me that the traction control was on. That explains everything. I was able to take the car for a second spin but he would not let me turn off the traction control. I must say that the traction control is very effective in this car!!! Good for everyday driving but a bummer today!!! Really all I can do is reconfirm what so many others have already said. This is one great car. I just can’t wait to have one in my garage!!!!
Last but not least I got to drive a Focus. A Focus you say? Why would I want to do that? Well it had upwards of 400+ horsepower and rear wheel drive. It was actually pretty fun!!! Nice burnout, good on the slalom and I couldn’t handle it on the skid pad!!! The back end would come around so fast that I kept just doing 360's. Not my kind of car but fun once around the track.
Some interesting things that I learned from the press conference:
Ford will be producing a body kit to make your Mustang look like the GTR concept!!!
Cammer engines are out now and in the hands of consumers already. I do not know how to get one but they are out there!!!
As we all know, Ford will be producing the “Racer Boy” white and blue race prep car for the public. You will be able to buy parts to modify your car or you can get one that is fully race ready! Everything will be available through Ford.
Ford had their own design contest. There were many winners but the ones that are Mustangs are as follows:
Street Scene Equipment 05 GT
H&R Special Springs 05 GT
Tiberti(sp?) Design using the West Trends Body Kit 05 GT
Best of show is the 3D Carbon 05 GT
Last but not least, Greg Smith confirmed that Ford will be racing the GTR next year.
A couple of observations on my part… The Rouch version while too aggressive for my tastes does not look as bad as in the pictures. In person it really has quite a presence. Aggressive but not mean looking. When you see it you know whoever is driving it means business.
I really liked the Steeda version. Didn’t like the wing but everything else looked very good!
The Saleen version was my favorite. Clean and mean with a hint of civility. If you put the Rouch wing on the Saleen that would look like the complete package. I got some good pictures of each version so keep an eye out for them tonight or tomorrow. Some of them came out great!!!
I am sure that I am missing things but I will have more to report tomorrow!!! If there is something you want me to look at specifically, just let me know and I will add it to my list.
Sorry for the long post but there was so much going on today!!!!
I will have more tomorrow!!!
Many thanks to Brad who made this day possible!!! I owe you one!!!!! (Or two or three…)

 

Bret's photos:

http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/shows/sema04

 

Brad, when I click the thumbnails I get a broken link

 

edit:nvm you can delete this post

 

try now it works for me

 

what are the second and third to last pics they are too dark?

 

i dont see any pics???

 

I cant remember!!! I saw too many... I will see if I can get better pictures tomorrow. They were in a corner under a sort of black light. It was hard to get a good picture.....

 

Click the link in Brad's post....

 

Click the link in Brad's post.... [/b][/quote]
i know, i dont see any pics in there. it has a little description of the SEMA show at the top and it just has a list of other shows at the bottom. no pics

EDIT: stupid aol. i had to go in IE. i dont know why aol does that? it happens with Doug's comic also

 

i know, i dont see any pics in there. it has a little description of the SEMA show at the top and it just has a list of other shows at the bottom. no pics [/b][/quote]
Did you scroll down? They are down the page a bit. Might take a while to load depending on your connection....

 

meh

i dont see anything really good in there

 

like the orange saleen. i see some rice tho. like the blue/turquiose one.

but the goodyear car is lookin good, keeping it plain n simple. (what can i say, i'm an ex-employee)

 

Sweet, I get my headlights!

Very nice pictures

 

Now THAT's what I call some great wax.

 

Awesome Bret! Great report!

Any more pics of the Roush, BFG Stang?

 

Comming tomorrow!!! I ran out of room today. Dont worry... You will not be disappointed!!!

 

goodyear too please!!

 

I like the SC not the roush one but the one with the inlet on the drivers side.
http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/shows/sema04/SEMA-2.jpg]Super[/URL]
I would like better pics of wheels and what the make of the wheels are. Not all the wheels just the ones with thicker spokes. Like the 18" that are supposed to come out in 06 I think the HR car is supposed to have SSR rims which pic are those.

 

You know what actually from those pics, I'm starting to like that Stage 3 Roush. It's growing on me. Of coarse that might just be because of the wax they used on that thing. Like DANG!!!! B)