Shelby GT350 Vs. 2018 Mustang GT: Driver Mod

Built for the road course, how does the Shelby GT350 stack up to the facelifted 2018 Mustang GT on the drag strip?

The difference between winning and losing comes down to a hundredth of a second. So many factors go into a proper launch off the line. How many RPMs are you giving the car? How aggressive is the clutch engagement? However, the biggest impact on time, is the driver. How reactive and experienced is the driver? There really isn’t a substitute for seat time, or is there?

When looking at the 2018 Mustang, there is a mode specifically for drag racing to achieve that perfect launch. Ford claims the Mustang GT with the 10-speed automatic, can hit 60 mph in less than 4 seconds in Drag Strip Mode.

So in this case, it is a flip of a switch and a computer that delivers the ideal launch without the driver’s input. Machine versus man, which will win?

YouTuber Jeff Ashton took his GT350 with NT05 tires and Performance Pack Replica-heavy wheels out to Orlando Speedway. The video shows the importance of putting in the seat time to achieve the car’s true capability.

With a pro behind the wheel, the GT350 record is 11.96 seconds for the 1/4 mile. Jeff admits this is only for fun and the car is not dialed in for drag racing.

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His main focus for the car will be road-course oriented. Maybe that’s a good thing because his fastest pass of the night was a 12.40 for the ¼ mile. So, really, the big question is can a man be faster than a computer? It depends on the reactionary experience of that said man. Watch the video and let us know what you think of the GT350 at the drag strip.