Video: Photographer determined to get his drag crash pics

Undoubtedly it has been a slow news week in the world of performance cars. The lull that is the post SEMA and LA Auto Show time is only brightened by the occasional crazy or amusing videos that we see.

One such video is this one, depicting a race at Ponoma Raceway in California that shows Steve Gasparrelli's Ford Mustang funny car in a dramatic crash. Big deal, you say? What makes this crash different from others is that a photographer by the name of Andy Willsheer didn't seem phased enough by the 200+ mph car flying by him to move or stop taking pictures.

Amazingly, neither photographer nor driver was hurt.

Video: 2010 Taurus SHO runs 13 second quarter mile

The SHO packs 365hp thanks to it's twin turbo V6, a staggering number until you have the sobering realization that the car it lives in weighs 4,300 pounds. But that kind of power output still got this guy a respectable slip with a 13.92 1/4 mile time at 100mph.

Ford to produce 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet and body-in-white for racers

The 2009 Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet was introduced at last year's SEMA, and was immediately successful, going on to win it's first event at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA back in February. The entire run of 50 that were produced was sold out in two weeks.

Today Ford announced that it will indeed bring the car back for 2010. Production will begin in the fourth quarter and deliveries will start in early 2010. The base price is expected to be less than $75,000 and production will again be limited to 50 cars.

Much like the 2009 model, the '10 will be outfitted with a 5.4L supercharged V8 rated at 425hp, with an optional aluminum block 475hp motor being available. For more info, check the press release below.

Ford also announced that it will be offering a new body-in-white based on the new 2010 Mustang. The bare body shells will be available for racers looking to build their own race car. Ford will start taking orders in the fall, with delivery expected in December.

PRESS RELEASE:

Milan, Mich. - The 40th Anniversary 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet more than lived up to its billing, joining its historic predecessor-the original 1968 Cobra Jet in winning its inaugural race at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. Now, Ford Racing is ready to update the latest Cobra Jet, and is announcing plans to build a 2010 version of the CJ. The announcement was officially made today at the National Mustang Racing Association event in Milan.

A little more than a year ago, Ford Racing announced plans to build a modern edition of the Cobra Jet. The limited run of 50 cars sold in less than two weeks, even before the first car was built. Once again Ford Racing will produce a limited run of 50 2010 Mustang CJs, the minimum number that must be produced in order to receive clearance from NHRA for competition.

Exact specifications are being finalized, but the initial plan is for the '10 Cobra Jet to have a 425-hp 5.4-liter supercharged engine from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog, but with an option to upgrade to an estimated 475-hp aluminum block engine. Likewise the 6-speed manual transmission that was available in the '08 Cobra Jet will be standard, but an option to upgrade to 5-speed Liberty manual transmission or a race prepped automatic transmission will be available. Other '10 Mustang Cobra Jet upgrades include an 8.50et NHRA certified roll cage and lightweight racing brakes.

"I've said from my first day in this job that I wanted Ford Racing to continue to be a 'racer-friendly' organization," said Wolfe. "That's why we take great pride in being one of only two car companies worldwide that builds ready-to-race cars and sells them as part of our performance parts offerings."

Component testing is underway and base pricing will be less than $75,000. Production is expected to begin during the fourth quarter with delivery expected in early 2010. Sportsmen racers interested in placing a pre-order for the '10 Cobra Jet should contact their local Ford Dealership.

Ford rolls out with it's own modified 2010 Mustangs

While reaction to the look of the refreshed 2010 Ford Mustang has been mostly positive, there has been disappointment expressed with regard to the powertrain options, primarily because they haven't changed from the current car. Though there are rumors of more powerful engines on the horizon, Ford doesn't want you to have to wait for a stouter 'Stang, so they brought four Mustangs to the L.A. auto show, which have already been customized with Ford performance parts.



"Mustang is more than a car -- it's a way of life. No two Mustangs are alike because Mustang is the most customized and modified car in America," said Brian Wolfe, Ford Racing Technology director. "Whether it's drag racing, road racing, drifting, club events, or just a daily driver, we at Ford help enthusiasts create their own 'my Mustang' story."



To inspire some of those Mustang stories, Ford brought a V-6 Mustang in Kona Blue and fitted with the Ford Racing Handling Package and a Ford Racing Short Throw Shifter. Stepping up from there, Ford also brought a Mustang GT in Torch Red, also with the GT Ford Racing Handling Package. For fans of big power, Ford brought another Mustang GT in Candy Red with the GT Ford Racing Handling Package and the Ford Racing polished supercharger, which jacks up engine output to 400 hp. Rounding out the performance lineup is a Sterling Grey Mustang GT Convertible with the Ford Racing Handling Package, Shaker Hood Scoop, Ford Racing X-Pipe, Ford Racing Mufflers, Ford Racing Shorty Headers, Ford Racing Differential Cover, and Ford Racing Short Throw Shifter.



The Ford Racing Handling package on all four cars improves handling with thicker front and rear anti-roll bars and a strut tower brace up front. Ford says they've also lowered the car's center of gravity, though they didn't say how. The Shorty Headers, X-Pipe, and mufflers improve exhaust flow and give it a raspier note. The headers also weigh 9 lb less than the stock manifolds. Ford claims the short-throw shifter reduces shifting effort by 32%, while its special differential cover is stronger and lighter and gives the differential bearing caps more support for longer gear life. The functional Shaker Hood Scoop and the supercharger each increase airflow to the engine in its own ways and adds power. All parts are covered under Ford's warranties and can be installed by your dealer.



"Mustang is the heart and soul when it comes to driving performance parts business," said Jamie Allison, Ford Racing Technology manager. "The parts for Mustang are grounded in championship-winning engineering and race-proven experience. They are the perfect platform for enthusiasts to customize, personalize, and enhance their Mustangs for the street or track."

Cobra Jet Mustang arrives from dragstrip

It looks like Ford brought it's new Cobra Jet Mustang straight from the end of a tire smoking dragstrip trial, as it showed up at SEMA with burnt rubber bits still present on it's rear fenders.



The graphics package looks fantastic in person, and we're jealous of the 50 lucky owners who have already placed their orders for the car.



Many of you have been wondering, and we've asked the question ourselves, why the Cobra Jet is "only" rated at 400 horsepower. After all, the GT500, which also features a 5.4L supercharged V8, puts out 500. We asked around at Ford and found that the Cobra Jet has been de-tuned to meet specifications needed for NHRA's AA Stock class. The official horsepower figure has yet to be finalized, but expect it to be right around 400 as quoted before.



PRESS RELEASE:

DEARBORN, Mich, Nov. 4, 2008 – Forty years after its debut, a legend of drag racing is back.



In honor of the 40th anniversary of the release of the first Ford Cobra Jet Mustang in 1968, Ford Racing is introducing the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang, now available for customers to race in NHRA sportsmen classes during the 2009 season.



The new Mustang FR500CJ is officially being launched at the Ford press conference Nov. 4, as part of the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.



For decades, the Mustang has been the preeminent car in many forms of racing, including drag racing. Adding to the rich and successful racing history of Ford's iconic pony car, the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang is a factory-built race car that is NHRA-legal and ready for the drag strip. It is the first purpose-built race car from Ford for drag racing since the original Cobra Jet Mustang.



"The Cobra Jet is one of the transformational vehicles for Ford Racing," said Brian Wolfe, director, Ford Racing Technology. "The 2008 CJ will get us more involved with the sportsmen racers in drag racing. At this point there are a lot of little guys who are running Fords from the 60s, 70s and even a few from the 80s, but those cars aren't necessarily relevant to what we are producing today.



"Those Ford racers are among the most loyal Ford supporters and customers we have," Wolfe added. "The CJ makes a statement for our company that even in times as tough as these, we can introduce something as special as the Cobra Jet. As I guy who has tracked Ford history from the beginning and understands the significance of the CJ, this is by far the best factory drag car that we have produced."



The original Cobra Jet Mustang was conceived by drag racing legend Bob Tasca, the competition-oriented Ford dealer in Rhode Island who at the time operated one of Ford's most successful retail operations. Tasca looked to the Ford parts shelf when he wanted to upgrade the engines on some of the Mustangs that he was selling, and came up with the KR-8 conversion package for his performance customers.



Henry Ford II announced that Ford would put together several of the Tasca 428-powered Mustangs for drag teams competing in the 1968 Winternationals, where two of the Mustangs made it into the finals and Al Joniec went on to win the Super Stock championship. After the car's success at Winternationals, Ford announced that it would be producing the 428ci Cobra Jet engine.



"When I made the Cobra Jet engine available to Ford, they found out quickly how good it was and they decided to make it happen," said Tasca Sr. "My feeling has always been that Mustang should be the performance leader for the Ford Motor Company. I like performance that helps me sell the unit. What the Cobra Jet did for Mustang was phenomenal."



The 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang joins Ford Racing's stable of championship-capable customer Mustangs: the Mustang FR500S, the Mustang FR500C and the Mustang FR500GT. All are turnkey cars available via the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog and through Ford dealers.



The FR500 series of Mustangs are race-ready cars, designed by Ford Racing engineers for performance-conscious customers, that can be rolled right off of a truck and win in competition. The Cobra Jet, as delivered, will be able to run in the 10-second range and be competitive as is, just like its sister car, the Mustang FR500C. The FR500C was unloaded for customers at the 2005 Grand-Am Rolex Series opening race in Daytona on a Wednesday, won the race on Friday and went on to secure a championship that first season.



And just like the Ford Mustang FR500S, the Cobra Jet Mustang will get its start at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich., before being sent to a Ford supplier to have additional parts installed and for final prep.



All of the additional parts and pieces for the CJ can be found in the Ford Performance Parts catalog. And since the Cobra Jet is produced from a base V-6 Mustang, any consumer can turn their Mustang into a Cobra Jet by purchasing the parts from the Ford Performance Parts catalog.



The car features a 400-hp 5.4-liter supercharged engine with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, automatic optional, and a drag race wheel/tire combination. The Cobra Jet is NHRA-legal to 10.00 second ETs and has an NHRA Stock Eliminator legal interior and is approximately 3,300 lbs. The car will also showcase a unique trim and appearance design and include an optional 2008 Cobra Jet graphics kit to distinguish itself.



The price of the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang is $69,900. All 50 of the initial 2008 model vehicles have already been ordered by Ford dealers for delivery to customers. For those customers who miss out on the first run, there's no worry, as Ford Racing has set a goal to provide future versions of the Cobra Jet.



"We've built a Mustang for drag racing that we've very proud of," said Wolfe. "We're confident that this, like all Mustang race cars, will be competitive, and a value for those looking to enter a variety of sportsmen classes. We can't wait to see the car in the hands of customers."



The Cobra Jet will make its official public debut at SEMA on Tuesday, November 4, and production will begin immediately on the 50 CJs, with delivery slated for early first quarter of 2009. The 2008 Cobra Jet is expected to first compete in the 2009 Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., in February.

Product Review: Ford Racing 2 1/16" Fuel Pressure Gauge

In my quest for some new gauges for my '83, I kept coming back to the Ford Racing line. I'm a Ford guy in general and the Ford Racing gauges are just a great looking line.



The first addition to my collection is a 2 1/16" fuel pressure gauge. I will be using an a pillar gauge pod for this and another gauge to go along with my 5" tach that I'll be mounting on the dash.



The Ford Racing gauges are made by Auto Meter so you know they are accurate. The gauge features a white face with a vibrant red pointer that's easy to read. The gauge measures fuel pressure from 10-100 psi and is a mechanical unit.



Both the gauge cages and pods are made of strong material which is even guaranteed to outlast your Mustang. The gauge cages are crafted from aluminum and have a matte black finish to complement the gauge bezels.



The cages are assembled with allen bolts to ensure a perfect seal. The gauge pods are made of tough plastic that prevents warping and cracking. Each pod is custom fit to each application making an easy installation and perfect fit all in one.



All in all the Ford Racing gauges are nice pieces that will add a nice look to my 83's interior and keep me updated with valuable information as we tear down the road (err, track).



I got my gauge from American Muscle, which has a great selection of all types of gauges and other parts for early and late model Mustangs. Not to mention they offer free shipping!

More pics of the Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet

Following up on a previous video that was posted of the new Mustang FR500CJ engaged in some dragstrip action, we now have some more pictures of Ford's new Cobra Jet.



Ford is supposedly only going to build 50 of these dragstrip terrors, all of which are powered by a blown 5.4 liter 32 valve V8 based on the GT500 motor.



The engine has been breathed on heavily over the "stocker" and much has been stripped off the car to save weight. With it's "big and little" tire combo, it looks track ready.



We'll have more details on the FR500CJ when they become available. And seriously, if you haven't seen the video, check it out here. It's well worth it just to hear the this thing run down the strip.