We all buy vehicles for different reasons. Our motives for a purchase are about as varied as our opinions on any given topic on any given day. It is no different for our beloved '13/'14 GT500's. We've seen people buy this car because of the horsepower numbers, or the top speed, or because of brand loyalty, and yes we also see people buy it and sell it 1000miles later because they're only interested in the "flavor of the month". While I don't think any of us have the right to say another person's reasons are "wrong", I just wanted to share an experience that only served to solidify and deepen my affection for this car.
Last weekend I rounded out my typical battery of automotive events by participating in an open track event put on by a Porsche Club. At some point during ownership I always try to put my new car through it's paces in 3 main arenas of activity: Drag Racing, Autocrossing, and Road Racing. Many of you have heard me mention my feelings about the car when I first got it, so this post will sort of be a small summary now that I've tried her out properly. My car is stock as far as power is concerned and the only performance mods to speak of are FRPP springs and BMR's rear kit. As some of you have pointed out, I've been known to bemoan the way the car performs on the street. For this much power, I was expecting something more aggressive. I've found the GT500 to feel highly composed, controllable, and refined. In a word, I've always called it "Civilized". While this sounds like a compliment, it's never been a term I've ever attached to a Mustang, nor was it one I really wanted to. After this weekend's activities in the GT500 I can honestly say the venue in which I've enjoyed driving it most is on the road course. I know it may be a bit counterintuitive to think the Shelby is better on an open track than a drag strip, but for ME, it is. Obviously all 3 events are different enough to make a true comparison unfair, but what I'm actually talking about is how the car handles the event in stock form.
1. When drag racing, I found myself annoyed by the stock programming which pulled power and caused bog in one of two ways: Through Traction Control detecting wheelspin when in one of the launch modes, or through the Electronic Clutch Protection detecting clutch slip when all modes are turned off. Without changing the car from stock form (wider/stickier tires, aftermarket tune, etc) the fun factor of the car at the strip is somewhat limited.
2. When auto crossing, I felt the car surpassed my expectations. Typically the formula: Big Horsepower + Big, Heavy car + Small tires + Small parking lot = A less than stellar showing. Instead, I found myself impressed with how well the car gathered itself up if it started to lose control. I was impressed at how it tucked it's rear in behind you and allowed you to navigate a decreasing radius turn with amazing agility. In fact, I was impressed with the grip of the tires too, as long as you could get them warmed up. The problem with autocrossing for me around here is you typically leave it in 1st gear and engage in an intricate dance between your foot and the gas pedal, with the thought of flooring it being a pipe dream.
3. When road racing…change out your brake fluid, and go drive your ass off! That's it! In stock form, this car has everything you need to have one of the best driving experiences of your life. The car put on a stellar performance for me. Yes, of course modding it would make it even better, but this is one event you can really push the car without really needing to touch a thing! I finally felt like the car had found it's niche where it was happiest (again, I'm taking about in stock form).
The tires performed flawlessly. I couldn't have asked for anything more from a street tire from the factory. The brakes were always there for me when I needed them and the tires stuck like champs. Accellerating, cornering, or braking, the tires were well up to the task. I know everyone else on here hates them so I'll be MORE than happy to take your stockers off your hands for cheap since they suck so much. :rolling:
Anyway, I'll ramble on forever if I'm not careful so I'll move on to the actual event vids. I met up with another SVT member in Tulsa and we cruised to the track Thursday morning. We arrived a little after 8am and the temps outside were in the low 40's at best. I looked at the dash temp when we were pulling out of the hotel parking lot and it read 37 degrees outside. Our first run session was spent taking it easy. We were going to have more track time than anyone could ever want so there was no point in pushing it too hard at the beginning when the track was cold.
In this first video the purpose was for me to film him as we went around the track. We wern't racing each other or trying to set a new personal best or anything. It was still cold out so we were just having fun and blowing the cobwebs out. I hadn't driven this track since 2005 so I was happy to get a feel for the track during the morning sessions anyway.
Hallett - 11/7/13 - Morning Session 2 on Vimeo
I wanted to include this second video because I liked the camera angle so much. The owner of the red GT500 told me about his experience putting the camera on the bumper in front of one of the headlights. It sounded cool so I wanted to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion Steve, I love it!! :beer: I really like how easy it is to see the difference in speed between the slow first outlap and the full speed ones that follow. I typically run the first lap at about 60% to get everything up and running, then I'll push it up to about 90% for the second lap. By the 3rd or 4th lap I usually feel like the car is good to go and I'll push it harder. Sorry for the watermark in the middle of the screen on this one. I was using a trial version of some conversion software to see if I liked it before I purchased it.
Hallett - 11/7/13 - 2013 Shelby GT500 Bumper cam at Hallett Raceway on Vimeo
Last weekend I rounded out my typical battery of automotive events by participating in an open track event put on by a Porsche Club. At some point during ownership I always try to put my new car through it's paces in 3 main arenas of activity: Drag Racing, Autocrossing, and Road Racing. Many of you have heard me mention my feelings about the car when I first got it, so this post will sort of be a small summary now that I've tried her out properly. My car is stock as far as power is concerned and the only performance mods to speak of are FRPP springs and BMR's rear kit. As some of you have pointed out, I've been known to bemoan the way the car performs on the street. For this much power, I was expecting something more aggressive. I've found the GT500 to feel highly composed, controllable, and refined. In a word, I've always called it "Civilized". While this sounds like a compliment, it's never been a term I've ever attached to a Mustang, nor was it one I really wanted to. After this weekend's activities in the GT500 I can honestly say the venue in which I've enjoyed driving it most is on the road course. I know it may be a bit counterintuitive to think the Shelby is better on an open track than a drag strip, but for ME, it is. Obviously all 3 events are different enough to make a true comparison unfair, but what I'm actually talking about is how the car handles the event in stock form.
1. When drag racing, I found myself annoyed by the stock programming which pulled power and caused bog in one of two ways: Through Traction Control detecting wheelspin when in one of the launch modes, or through the Electronic Clutch Protection detecting clutch slip when all modes are turned off. Without changing the car from stock form (wider/stickier tires, aftermarket tune, etc) the fun factor of the car at the strip is somewhat limited.
2. When auto crossing, I felt the car surpassed my expectations. Typically the formula: Big Horsepower + Big, Heavy car + Small tires + Small parking lot = A less than stellar showing. Instead, I found myself impressed with how well the car gathered itself up if it started to lose control. I was impressed at how it tucked it's rear in behind you and allowed you to navigate a decreasing radius turn with amazing agility. In fact, I was impressed with the grip of the tires too, as long as you could get them warmed up. The problem with autocrossing for me around here is you typically leave it in 1st gear and engage in an intricate dance between your foot and the gas pedal, with the thought of flooring it being a pipe dream.
3. When road racing…change out your brake fluid, and go drive your ass off! That's it! In stock form, this car has everything you need to have one of the best driving experiences of your life. The car put on a stellar performance for me. Yes, of course modding it would make it even better, but this is one event you can really push the car without really needing to touch a thing! I finally felt like the car had found it's niche where it was happiest (again, I'm taking about in stock form).
The tires performed flawlessly. I couldn't have asked for anything more from a street tire from the factory. The brakes were always there for me when I needed them and the tires stuck like champs. Accellerating, cornering, or braking, the tires were well up to the task. I know everyone else on here hates them so I'll be MORE than happy to take your stockers off your hands for cheap since they suck so much. :rolling:
Anyway, I'll ramble on forever if I'm not careful so I'll move on to the actual event vids. I met up with another SVT member in Tulsa and we cruised to the track Thursday morning. We arrived a little after 8am and the temps outside were in the low 40's at best. I looked at the dash temp when we were pulling out of the hotel parking lot and it read 37 degrees outside. Our first run session was spent taking it easy. We were going to have more track time than anyone could ever want so there was no point in pushing it too hard at the beginning when the track was cold.
In this first video the purpose was for me to film him as we went around the track. We wern't racing each other or trying to set a new personal best or anything. It was still cold out so we were just having fun and blowing the cobwebs out. I hadn't driven this track since 2005 so I was happy to get a feel for the track during the morning sessions anyway.
Hallett - 11/7/13 - Morning Session 2 on Vimeo
I wanted to include this second video because I liked the camera angle so much. The owner of the red GT500 told me about his experience putting the camera on the bumper in front of one of the headlights. It sounded cool so I wanted to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion Steve, I love it!! :beer: I really like how easy it is to see the difference in speed between the slow first outlap and the full speed ones that follow. I typically run the first lap at about 60% to get everything up and running, then I'll push it up to about 90% for the second lap. By the 3rd or 4th lap I usually feel like the car is good to go and I'll push it harder. Sorry for the watermark in the middle of the screen on this one. I was using a trial version of some conversion software to see if I liked it before I purchased it.
Hallett - 11/7/13 - 2013 Shelby GT500 Bumper cam at Hallett Raceway on Vimeo
