SCCAForums.com

Doug: Thanks. Wished you were running the Shelby in F/S, since the field looked a little thin this a.m.

Yes, I'm trying to avoid working on cars again. Did way too much of that when I was young, so instead, I have a standby in the garage. Probably could have gotten an '07 Shelby GT, instead, but the DHG car is nice. I was originally going to buy a GTR, but the delay, plus the dealer hosing was just too much to bear. The spare Ford even came with a $2500 rebate.

So far, the F/S guys seems to be a pretty nice group. 

Steve S.

118 F/S   

FS has always been a good class.  I just bought the Shelby a month ago when the last 07's were on fire sale.  This year (hoepfully next as well) I am in a friends Boxster S in AS. It is a stunningly well prepared car and just a blast to drive. The Shelby is my daily driver...and I am hoping to lure my wife back to autocrossing with it.

The Bullitts are cool and the price is right (and getting more right by the minute, the Katy dealer has 4 of them). I think you will like it. 

I'll hunt for you Sunday as I think AS and FS run at the same time.

Do you know a gentleman named Mark Gifford?

See you Sunday,

Doug Wille 

Doug: Yes, I know Mark Gifford. Does he still drive a mid 80's red Camaro Z28? He used to run in F/S back when that car was brand new.

Regards,

Steve

 2008 Bullitt- black  118 FS

Steve,

It was a pleasure to meet you today. Yes Mark does still drive the red sled. It makes a few more ponies than it used to.   Look forward to seeing you come back.

Best,

Doug 

Doug: The pleasure was mine. BTW, your car is gorgeous. I hope to be back,

Rgds,

Steve 

Thanks, the Bullitt is pretty spectacular as well.  My son overheard a group of spectators comparing our cars.  They said your Bullitt was the real deal and that the Shelby was just a V6 with a bunch of scoops!  

We finally drove the Shelby in the afternoon. The car worked very well and was a blast to drive. Jackie (my wife) was very fast in it, especially when she remembered to turn off the traction control.

Doug: I guess the spectators don't know that they both start life as basically as the same car built in the same Flatrock plant. One with a 54G package and the other with a 33 G package. They are both the Real Deal.( at least I think those are the numbers )

If they asked me the major differences, it's the FRP" 3" suspension package added on the Shelby vs, the 3.73 rear end gearing added in the Bullitt. Of course, I'd readily like to have them both !!

I also really like the Ford Factory Active Anti-Theft that was available as an option with the 08's. "Peace of mind" with these cars is worth "something". In my case, it was certainly worth getting.   

I ran all 4 runs with the traction control still on..... and on marbles! Bet my TC is really "confused" after that work out!!!

What's the name of that dealer you mentioned in Georgia? Maybe I can sell a Bullitt to one of those spectators?

Regards,

Steve

Steve,

Yes, Bullitt, Shelby , Regular GT all more the same than different!   I wish I had the active anti-theft, I need to see if I can get it installed. Did you put a front plate on the car?  If so how?

For new Fords try Wayne Morriss Ford in Perry, Georgia. Talk with Michael Morris.

http://waynemorrisford.dealerconnection.com/

Michael's email is:  

mailto:cobra46l@alltel.net

He is a good guy and the deals he cuts are pretty good. 

If you decide to get shocks, bars or other parts, or need solid setup info talk with Sam Strano at Stranoparts.  Sam knows what works and doesn't on these cars. He is simply the best at setting up F-Stock cars that I have met.

Last but not least, if you want good street/race tires look into the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R or the Yokohama Advan Neova 048. Both are pretty good. The KDWS our cars have is a good street tire but it doesn't generate much grip at an autox. 

Jackie made two runs with the TC on. It cost her 7 tenths of a second. it works pretty hard in that gravel! 

 Later,

Doug 

01 FS Z28:

FWIW, the Shelby rides like crap stock because of the dampers.  They were dumped off our car pretty much first thing and the ride improved greatly.  The Bullitt will ride better because the springs are softer, the shocks are tuned more for ride. 

Sam helped me set up my Shelby GT for Solo II and we are having a GREAT novice season so far.  As far as the ride on street tires, we just added Yokohama Advan Neova's and it is a miracle the way the ride changed over the BFG's.   My wife noticed it right away and I assume the softer compound helped some.  As far as autocross tires, talk with Sam since he tests more and knows more, but we have been running two sets of Hoosiers in 285 and 295 on Kazeras all season.  Sam can tell you more but I like the 295s better.  The Advan Neovas I use on play days and used them on day two of Evo school since we did not keep time.  They ain't Hoosiers, but they ain't bad.  The price is ridiculous ($325 each) but I could never go back to the BFGs after driving and autocrossing some on the Yokos. 

Thanks, Dr. Kyle:

 However, I may have  a new proposition for Dr. Shelby.

 Regards, Steve 

Doctor_fun,

The BFG's do ride badly. When I switched my GTO to the Bridgestones I was stunned at the improved ride quality and lower noise. How do the Advan's wear as an autocross tire?  

We never tried the 285's, just went with the 295's They seem to work very well...but we are on our first set so time will tell. 

All:  I really loved Doug & Jackies' ride. I especially liked the color and the tires and the suspension /setup.  After last weekend, I think my chances in F/S are probably minimal. Mabye, for now, I should just concentrate on chasing down a Parnelli Saleen instead, in another class, since I think I have a way to run them down, using one of my Bullitts, Plus Carroll Shelby.

Doug- I was rather blatantly traditional and just drilled into the front bumper cover holes ( ughh ) to mount my requiired TX  front license plate. Glad I did, or I would have collected  a second ticket last week. Managed to slam hard on the brakes in middle of 4th and his radar only displayed  84 is a 65 mph zone. Be careful on those newly opened stretches of I-10 inbound, especially just inside Loop. 610, on I-10. I Had an a- hole, in a big, White  Chev, Yukon tailgating me, and I decided to cut into the outside fast lane quickly while winding out 3rd to lose him. Got stopped, and I admit.....Guilty as charged. Only regret was not being able to pop a few caps into the tires of the White Yukon as it went by, obviously smiling or laughing at my predicament.

Oh well, I needed a refresher cert. in driver's ed to lower my insurance rates anyway. Mission accomplished, but not intended.

Glad to see Jackie did well. Pleae give her my congats!!

I've got a really interesting proposition for Carroll Shelby.

Regards,   Steve 

DougW:

 

The BFG's do ride badly. When I switched my GTO to the Bridgestones I was stunned at the improved ride quality and lower noise. How do the Advan's wear as an autocross tire?

We never tried the 285's, just went with the 295's They seem to work very well...but we are on our first set so time will tell.

I was worried about wear on the Yoko's at their price point even though the car is only raced and not driven daily.  I totally thrashed them at the National Impala event where we got to play with probably twenty runs (hot laps) and another 20 or more at Evo school part II.  I am not seeing a lot of wear - only where they rolled over slightly which is normal.  I might add that some of those runs were by instructors who ran them harder.  So far, so good.  I expect them to last a long time since it is not driven daily.  The only issue was I tried to run them like Hoosiers at first and I spun a couple of times at the Impala event.  I am used to them now and know how far I can push - usually!  ;)  You might check the wear issue with the WRX STI guys who seems to have them for AX and drive them daily.

You know, I say I like the Hoosier 295s because they seem faster and I have more confidence in them.  It may just be that I am getting faster and more comfortable with the car than when we began on the 285s. I have done better on the 295s. Sam said his initial reaction is the 295s are faster and wear better.  Even if it is all mental, I am taking a set of sticker 295s to Nationals unless Strano tells me different.   

Thanks Doctor_fun. The Advans will be  worth checking out when dual purpose tire time comes up.

I am with you on the 295's. I'll do what Sam recommends!

Doug- The worms will be "loose" on another thread. Just thought I'd mention it.

  Steve