Wheels of Fortune - Signature Wheels

[50 Deep]

In the car world I have found that the only thing more interesting than the cars we drive, are the people behind the wheel. Today, I wanted to introduce you to my buddy Mitch Fotes and his 2017 Grabber Blue GT350R, otherwise known as GRAB R.

Mitch is a tried and true octane addict living in the Pacific North West (PNW). He has been racing 2 wheel motorcycles since 1987, and holds an expert license with the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association. He is also currently a control rider and instructor for the Track Time Motorcycle Track Days. What Mitch will tell you is that just because you can drag a knee on a motorcycle, doesn’t mean you can power slide a car through an apex. The driving dynamics are totally different, and he has been enjoying learning the R.

GRAB R was purchased in December 2017 with 3500 miles, and now has about 7000 smiles on the ticker. It is 1 of 2 Grabber Blue GT350R’s with the stripe delete, black roof, and electronics package delete produced in 2017. The previous owner of the car was able to order it trough a VIP allocation, so Mitch was able to get a lot of cool history with the car through its build process.

You can find Mitch running GRAB R at the Ridge or other courses in the PNW. But keep an eye on the driver as his wife races the R and motorcycles as well. Make sure to stop and say hello next time you see them passing you before the apex. Here are his modifications to date, and some photos to enjoy.

2017 GT350R
Grabber Blue stripe delete
Electronics delete
7000 miles

Suspension
Maximum Motorsports camber plates
ARP Rear wheel studs
Caliperfexion caliper studs

Wheels & Tires
Signature Wheel Track Series SV502 w/anti-slip bead knurling
Gloss Black 19x11 et50 square – 305/30/19 Michelin Sport Cup 2

Safety
Competition Motorsports Roll Cage (Grabber Blue)
Profi II ASM FE harness

*Rolling photography credit to Robert Gluckman Photography
*Static phtogpraphy credit to watermarked entities

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[50 Deep]

Ford Performance Racing School FP350S / GT350R - Track Series SV502

Does everyone remember the first time you asked a girl out on a date? All the self-talk and planning that went through your head before you worked up the courage to ask that question? All the angst you felt about what the response would be? You finally say what the hell, take the chance, and the next thing you know it is make out time after prom. In a roundabout way this was the story of how I started my relationship with the Ford Performance Racing School (FPRS). Instead of a hot chick trying to put one ring on it, I was looking to get 4 wheels bolted up to a set of 15.5 inch Brembos. Nevertheless, that is the story of how I came to the good fortune of working FPRS. Took a chance, followed through on a promise, and now living the dream.

It has been a little over a week since the Signature Wheel / FPRS private track day at Thunderhill raceway ended. This was my first time seeing two of the three cars we worked with FPRS on in person. The FP350S and one of two GT350R’s. I am still going over all that happened at the event, and really enjoying seeing some of the photographs people took. I am very proud of the fact we had another safe event, but as the organizer I spent most of time ensuring the event ran smooth. My biggest regret from the event was not being able to spend more time with all the attendees and their vehicles. There was so much to see and take in that I wish we had two full days to enjoy it.

I did not get to take many photos, but the few I did snap were of the cars that FPRS brought out that day. FPRS trailered the cards from Utah to conduct some testing of the FP350S. They will be campaigning that car at the USAF NASA 25hour race at Thunderhill at the end of November. I had high hopes of driving the FP350S, but I knew that was a pipe dream. Both cars are running our Signature Wheel Track Series SV502 and sport some impressive livery from the school. All the graphics were done by Falcon Graphics, who also does the work for all the other owner program cars. Getting close on the FP350S you will notice the stripes/livery are done in a carbon fiber. Pretty slick how they included the metallic red accents too. The level of adjustability on the FP350S is just amazing, and the speed out of the box will take you back to the future. I couldn’t believe how many times the car was up in the air after each session for additional tweaking. Both cars are mostly as ford made them, and here are some pictures to enjoy.

FPRS FP350S

FPRS GT350R

 

[50 Deep]

Track Series SV503 - GT350R Spec – Gloss Gunmetal​

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These are some of the first images I took of my GT350R after having the Track Series SV503 mounted up. Pretty thrilled with the finish overall, and man are these things light. Had them out for 1 session during our last Signature Wheel/Ford Performance Racing School track day and they worked just as intended. Great blend of track functionality and style. Here are the specs, and yes this set is up for sale.​

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Front Specs​

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-Front Wheel: 19x11​

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-Front Tire: 305-30-19 Continental Extreme​

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-Front Wheel Weight: 21.88 lbs​

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-Front Tire weight: 27 lbs​

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-Combined wheel/Tire Weight: 48.88 lbs​

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Rear Specs​

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-Rear Wheel: 19x11.5​

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-Rear Tire: 305-30-19 Continental Extreme​

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-Rear Wheel Weight: 20.58 lbs​

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-Rear Tire Weight: 27 lbs​

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-Combined Wheel/Tire Weight: 47.58​

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Track shots by Robert Gluckman​

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[50 Deep]

Multipiece SV301S Charger Hellcat– 20x9 / 20x10.5 – Golden Copper Face, Polished Barrel, Black Hardware

It is not everyday you get to take the fat girl to the dance. Even less often are you surprised when she can really get down and boogie. Had the opportunity to build a set of our Multipiece SV301S for my good buddy Jason Ewing. His 2018 Charger Hellcat is a straight monster, and its still slow compared to his single turbo SN95. I had the pleasure of driving it to the photo shoot location and this thing moves at the slightest stab of the throttle. Interior is comfortable and Dodge did a good job with it.

Jason wanted something that would provide him a performance advantage, as well as set the car out amongst the crowd. The OEM wheels from the factory were a 20x9 square setup weighing 32lbs a piece! Switching to what you see here is a heavier construction type, wider in the rear, and still came in at 20lbs less than the OEM wheel. What we have is our first ever Hellcat to join Signature Nation, and I look forward to seeing more of it. Particulars below.

Signature Wheel Forged Multipiece SV301S
20x9 (26lbs) 275/40/20 Pirelli
20x10.5 (28lbs) 305/35/20 Mickey Thompson

 

[50 Deep]

Happy to introduce the new Signature Wheel Flagship Series FOUR. This is the first wheel capable if being made in the 6 lug for the F150 and Raptor. If you know anyone looking to debut this wheel on their F150 or Mustang please send me an email forspecial pricing. This 2 piece design can be made in any size from 18”-22”.

 

[50 Deep]

The guys over at Auto Fanatics just did one of a series of reviews of our Signature Wheel SV701. This should give some real good insight into some of the design and engineering concepts behind the wheels. Be sure to give him a like and subscribe if you do not already.

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[50 Deep]

It’s game time ladies and gents.

 

[honeybadger]

Got my set ordered! Tell the boys to put 'em on the fast track. We got slicks to mount and P-cars to terrorize

 

[50 Deep]

Got my set ordered! Tell the boys to put 'em on the fast track. We got slicks to mount and P-cars to terrorize

When the new set is bolted up to the car it’s going to be a car they won’t miss

 

[50 Deep]

Got a pretty slick video from one on our SV701 enthusiasts. Check it out and enjoy.....

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[50 Deep]

Part 2 of the wheel review from Auto Fanatic is up!

 

[50 Deep]

Our newest batch of the custom Signature Wheel domed center cap overlays are here. These are available with new wheel orders, or for existing customers. Options are a brushed aluminum background and black. They affix to the existing color matched caps, are very durable, and can be removed without any issues.

 

[50 Deep]

The Signature Circle continues to grow at a steady pace. Very thankful to have had the opportunity to work with a lot of enthusiasts, whether they bought wheels or not. Here are a couple of cool builds in the works.

Flagship Signature Series ONE – 18” SN95 Fitment – Brushed Triple Black Tinted / Polished
For a long time, we were unable to make the low offset design Flagship Series wheels for vehicles unable to run certain offset profiles. Happy to announce that some exploration has been done, and the Flagship line is now open to all Mustang makes/models. Here are a couple images of the first set of Signature Series ONE built for a 1998 Cobra.

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[50 Deep]

Flagship Signature Series One – 18” Widebody 1970 Mustang Fastback – Gloss Black/Gunmetal

The internet is a big place, and a lot of cool cars get lost in the shuffle. I started falling in love with the pro-touring 1970 fastback build being done by Chris Ashton. The complete build is being done by hand in his garage. Enthusiasts who can do fabrication and welding on their own really intrigue me. It is a skill I hope to develop one day. I know some will call treason, but the car is being powered by a stroked 427 LS motor making 625 HP. Gladly the wheels are our Signature Wheel Flagship Series ONE.


Chris does not have a Facebook, so check him out on Instagram under @Macmaninfi to follow along with his progress. If you have any questions about the build let me know and I will try to get the information.

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[50 Deep]

Multipiece SV302 – 18 Widebody AMC AMX – Gloss Black/Brushed Triple Black Tinted
My buddy Justin (Instagram @shelbygt350kr) is in the process of a full restoration and pro-touring build of his AMC AMX. He just so happens to have a Mustang Fastback in the shop undergoing a custom build as well. He sent me a couple pictures of the 18x12 Signature Wheel SV302 we built for the AMX bolted up to the Fastback as a tease.

I don’t want to be the only one dying to see more of them bolted up to those Baer 6-Piston brakes. There are some more build photos from Matt @HotRodRegal on Instagram too. I will definitely bring back more progress pics if you guys like what you see.

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