Have you ever heard of the word anticipointment? This is one of those words Urban Dictionary that seem to be fashionable with the kids these days. Basically, this means that you look forward to something with great anticipation, the experience ends up being incredibly disappointing.
Yeah, that's kind of how I felt after attending the tour GT350 track at Sebring International Raceway. Let me count all the ways that this event was not great.
First of all, I commend Ford for their intention with this event. The track tour GT350 is an event / owner combination event release, which means GT500 and Boss 302 owners were invited to drive the car side by side with members of the press. As owner Boss 302 and sometimes automotive writer, I qualified in multiple ways. The curious nature of this setup proved to cause problems for me later in the day, but we'll get to that.
Jim Owens, vice president at Ford Performance, started the day with an enthusiastic welcome to all the participants, some of them really stepped driving game in Piloti wearing their shoes. He then presented one of my personal heroes of conduct, Cindi Lux, who is the chief instructor at the School Racing Ford at Miller Motorsports Park. She let us know she had brought several of his instructors fine with it our coach, I'm glad to hear based on my unique experiences with both the track and Boss attack the Octane Academy ST. However, she took the good news with disappointment Number One :. We would not drive the full course
Uh, come again
See? this little gray line through Turn Three? We were coming out of Turn Twelve courses, turn right on Thirteen Turn, then right again at the little gray line, which basically cut everything that Sebring, well, Sebring.
Oh, and we'd like to get three laps behind the wheel. It was disappointment Number Two.
Here are the things Ford really, really wants you to know the Shelby GT350 (I wrote them, just in case heard in triplicate was not enough):
- The engine generates 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque
- this engine.? It is a 5.2-liter, flat-crank V8.
- The aero on the GT350R means that R will generate more downforce than a GT3 991.
- The GT350 is quite different Pillar before. He shares nothing with the GT.
- The R has carbon fiber wheels weighing 18 pounds, a first for a production vehicle. I took one. It was clear.
- Almost everything on the GT350 is a custom tailored part. There's nothing "off-the-shelf." Even the Michelin tires have a custom tread pattern. The seats, shifter and steering wheel are all specific GT350. Even the chrome surfaces were dulled to the training track.
- The suspension of MagneRide is also customized. It can detect changes of the floor in less than seven milliseconds, and can communicate with the rest of the vehicle just as quickly.
This is a picture of a flat crank, in case you've never seen one.
you all this? Good, because , it is very important . Now, the next thing I'll show you was in no way disappointing.
stealth gray Focus RS. The desire is strong. In fact, I'd be much more interested in a Focus RS tour track. Perhaps as owner Fiesta ST I'll get an invite to one. In fact, I mostly listen from the second reading of the list of GT350 has so I can drool over the RS. I have not seen a color that is not appropriate.
Okay, well, after all that and standing around talking to one of the daughters of the event (she was very interested in becoming a race car driver, so I suggested she get a license comp), it was finally time to drive the cars. Yes, I had waited about three hours to drive the car, but I was sure that everything would be worth it. I grabbed my helmet and Sony Action Cam (now available at Best Buy at liquidation prices) and I headed to equip my HANS device
This is my video of my drive :.
Ha. Have you been deceived? Because what was Number Three Deception. No video has been allowed to be saved to disk for, uh, "security reasons". However, this has not stopped Ford to put their own GoPros inside the car ... gaahhhh. So my camera is dangerous, but theirs? TOTALLY SAFE. Maybe they were afraid that my video would look something like, well, this video Lime Rock My bestie Matt Farah
My favorite Farah Quote "Here's how this video is short and I'm sorry."
Thus, in case you're in a place where circumstances prevent you from listening to my whining voice and wind noise, allow me summarize what I said on this video :. My training Disappointment Number Four
I got the chance to drive a "R" -. and a yellow, not less. My instructor, Stan, was a super cool guy and a fine pilot. It allowed me to make a little shift they were supposed to (I went down to second in the slow corners and up to fifth in the exit of turn six in seven turns), and it didn ' has not held the event -mandated limit 100 mph. Unfortunately, even for thirty seconds between my driveway and the car in front of me, I caught up in less than a round. They do not allow passing in turn six, so I had to relax behind the driver in front of me for half a turn until Stan was able to radio for one point. I passed quickly and easily turn six and caught the car in front of that before the end of my second round. So I froze behind him until turn six times, how I put the motherflippin 'hammer all the way into the hairpin bend of September Yes! Finally, some clear track! I screamed in the eight and nine turns, climb in engine speed limiter in third gear ...
And then my session was over.
"Ahhhh! I need another turn!" I shouted. I was not granted another round.
In summary, I am three or four quick turns over three laps and spent a lot of time waiting to go to about 50 mph. That being said; even in less than ideal road conditions, it is impossible not to be impressed by this engine. He just keeps revving. Like never. My natural inclination was to move to 7000 rpm, but this is not a winning strategy in the GT350R. The engine sings his happiest when you let go all the way to redline. There is a feeling and a sound that is unlike anything else on the market - at any price
Similarly, the side grip is only bananas and predictable as well .. I never really had the chance go full throttle in a corner, but I never felt like I was in danger of losing grip. The accelerometer read G 1.29 1.41 left and right. My boss has never seen anything like that. The best I've ever shot is just over 1 G. In comparison, the 991 GT3 I drove to Atlanta Motorsports Park peaked at just over 1.5 G. It is quite possible that with more speed and more downforce, the grip Shelby could have similar side.
There. I can not tell you about the glorious MagneRide suspension. I can not tell you about the greatness of the brakes. I can not tell you much other than what it is to be completely frustrated behind the wheel of this spectacular Machine anything
I'll be frank here :. Anyone who wrote a glowing review of this car, based on the drive that Ford has provided Sebring, should never be allowed to pen a syllable about cars. If a person were to write such a piece, the player can not draw one of two conclusions:
- The author is Shilling desperately hoping to be invited back to another event in the future
- the author can not drive his way out of a paper bag, and was similarly impressed with a V-6 base car with Shelby badging
in fact, feel free to draw these conclusions. Based on the "OMG WOW" conversations I heard in the paddock, I have no doubt that you will be able to read your share of these comments in the coming days. But when they tell you how they pushed to the limit at Sebring , just go ahead and click the small X in the upper right corner of your browser.
trucks Ford, if you 're reading, I want you to pay attention to this: I'm a damn good faith Ford fanboy. I bought three new Ford over the past three years. I wanted to write a glowing review of the GT350R drooling. I paid for my ticket, my hotel and my own rental car just so I could drive your masterpiece in Sebring. I did not do it. Therefore, the highest rating I can give the Shelby GT350, as the owner Boss 302 and Fiesta ST is an "incomplete".
Send us a press car. Let me back up to the back with my boss. Then I will be able to give you real exam. Until then, our readers and I are left wanting. And your car deserves much better.
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