Sebring Track Tour

First of all, let me thank Ford Performance for being lucky and blessed enough to attend the event. It was first class.

As for the cars...

The suspension is taut and pleasantly planted. No jarring, no wheel hop... The car was planted at all times. The sport cups chirped just a little when pressed hard by the instructors but otherwise grip was excellent. Turn in on this car is amazing... It's like point n shoot. As for the steering feeling "numb" I beg to differ. There is something to be said for a car that has electro-assist with Magneride. That may be why some people thought it to be numb as the suspension in the R soaks up so much scruff that a lot of the roughage in the track is not translated thru the column, in my experience.

The telescoping wheel was a welcome addition to the R for setting up a good racing position.

The torque is on demand and plentiful and the RPMs just keep coming. It is unreal how one's ear gets used to crossplane shift points and the necessary adjustment for this engine.

Sound under throttle is impressive, yet not obtrusive.

The Sport Cup 2's are absolutely amazing for a tire with a 180 treadwear.

I checked the fit n finish of these cars and even though they are pounded upon at these tracks they had pretty good fitment.

As for the Recaros, I was a little tight in the chair (6'1, 220) but it was pleasantly appreciated when under harder driving, especially when the instructors drove.

This car is impressive... Especially the R. I don't think any of us armchair racers will find its limits. The brakes alone were absolutely amazing and pedal feel was Transmitted through the pedal well. The pedals are correct for heel n toe.

As for oil temps, I saw no temps above 250 - 255*F before, during or after two hard laps by a professional race instructor.

My driving instructor was Bill Rhinehart who was absolutely a gentleman during educating me briefly on the track.

Thanks to Steve Amman for his assistance... Mark, the branding manager for the Mustang, who patiently answered all my crazy arse questions, and of course Jim Owens who was as passionate about a program as anyone could ever be. These guys put on a brilliant show that showcased their hard work in this product well.

Pics to follow!!!

Great, candid feedback. Thank you.

Posting for [MENTION=15817]DrumReaper[/MENTION]

Hurry up with those pics.

More coming

And the money shot

That yellow is delicious. I hope I don't hate myself later for not getting a yellow one.

Steve16 said:

That yellow is delicious. I hope I don't hate myself later for not getting a yellow one.

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Out of all the colors that impressed me most, it was the yellow that changed my opinion. This yellow in person is much more appealing than on the net.

DrumReaper said:

Out of all the colors that impressed me most, it was the yellow that changed my opinion. This yellow in person is much more appealing than on the net.

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How is the sound versus what you hear online?

Great write up DRUM. Did you get to drive both the R and standard track pack? If so what would you say is the weakest characteristic of the standard car vs. the R?

_M_ said:

How is the sound versus what you hear online?

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I wish I could really explain it M, but it is a unique, feral sound that only gets better as the RPMs climb.

This car would be hell if it were to have an exhaust setup like the 12/13 B302's.

It's absolutely glorious tho... You won't be disappointed M.

TDC said:

Great write up DRUM. Did you get to drive both the R and standard track pack? If so what would you say is the weakest characteristic of the standard car vs. the R?

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Thanks TDC... I drove/rode R only.

What I can tell you is that there was a yellow 350TP two cars ahead of our R. The instructors drove the crap out of these cars and the 350TPs held their own fairly well amongst the R's. I can tell you the R sounds better.

PP001 has better info on this than I.