Roadracing Mustangs

[Nethead]

After immense penalties for dominating the GS class in the 2005 racing season--penalty lead plates to make them the heaviest competitors on the track, camshaft lift/duration restrictions, only street shortie headers, no X-pipe in the exhausts, punitive final drive ratios, no chip re-flash, and the only intake restrictor plates ever required on an engine under 5.1 liters, the Mustang herd stampeded back to take 5 of the top 11 overall positions in this year's Grand American Cup Series roadracing opener last Friday at Daytona International Speedway--including 1st overall and 2nd overall!  The 2nd overall finisher took the pole but got passed by another Mustang on lap 61 of 64 and finished less than half a second behind the winner.  Only 8 seconds separated the five top Mustangs after 3 hours of racing.
There is a dark cloud within every silver lining--the Grand American Road Racing Association never leaves any good deed unpunished:  Before the next race, penalties are bound to be placed on the Mustangs just as happened in the 2005 when Mustangs also finished 1-2 and took the pole.  Will it be requiring more lead plates bolted to the passenger floorboard?  An even more restrictive restrictor plate?  An even more disadvantageous final drive ratio? 

[SVT666]

Go Mustang! 

[SVT666]

...even with that spruce log in the back eh?

The naysayers will always find excuses (like more hp, bigger engines, etc) for why a low tech, solid axle, American muscle car continuously beats the high tech European competition like Porsche and BMW.  Sore losers is what they are. 

I can't wait for the new "Trans Am" series to start up with the FR500GT.

[Soup DeVille]

...even with that spruce log in the back eh?

The naysayers will always find excuses (like more hp, bigger engines, etc) for why a low tech, solid axle, American muscle car continuously beats the high tech European competition like Porsche and BMW.? Sore losers is what they are.?

I can't wait for the new "Trans Am" series to start up with the FR500GT.

How about this excuse, "The Mustangs have a natural disadvantage with their front-end weight bias: adding more penalty weight does nothing but allow them to correct that weight imbalance."

Bahhh, just let 'em race...

[r0tor]

too bad the Mustang got romped in the Rolex 24hr race 

[SVT666]

too bad the Mustang got romped in the Rolex 24hr race?

The three hour tour was well worth the trip, as less than five laps into his first practice session in the car, Tagliani pegged a time of 1:51.649 seconds in the new Rolex Sports Car Series GT-Class Ford Mustang Cobra GT, smashing the previous GT qualifying track record by nearly two seconds and proving to be quicker than the GT class pole-winning time set on Thursday.

[Nethead]

r0tor:  Pay more attention, r0torDude!  That was no Mustang in the Rolex, just as it was no Pontiac G6 or Infiniti coupe, yada yada yada.  The Rolex GT cars are NASCAR juniors--custom-built steel-tube chasses, aftermarket brakes, replica bodies in various non-metallic materials (the Mustang's body was built by Crawford Composites--who also built a composite Infiniti for the Rolex GT--and then bolted the carbon fiber "Mustang" body onto a sorta generic shop-built Crawford front-engined, RWD chassis modified to the wheelbase length of a Mustang.  Since this was only the second such chassis built by Crawford (the Infiniti was the first one), lots of development was needed.  The same as all the other competitors in the Rolex GT races, but most of them have been building these specialized chasses for several years already.  At least the GARRA officialdom doesn't allow preposterous lowered-and-slanted-waaay-back-noses, narrowed greenhouses, butts-in-the-air body mods like NASCAR--yet...They probably don't allow FWD vehicles to race as RWD, but I'm not sure they're that "picky" since such preposterous masturbations have no appeal to me.  Consequently, the Nethead here has not scrutinized their rules, such as they are...
The GS class cars are hardly OEMs with just the door windows removed--roadracing rollcages, bladdered fuel cells, great leeway on the front brakes, no emissions requirements, no street unleaded gasoline requirements, no turn signal requirements, yada yada yada.  But they do require doors that open and close, functioning headlights/driving lights/taillights/brake lights, mufflers, and many restrictions on suspension modifications.  A few GM cars are allowed lightweight bodies to be competitive (CTS-Vs, Cobalts, maybe others) but the rest of the field is only allowed to use lightweight hoods--which Mustangs don't require because all Mustangs have aluminum hoods.  Interiors are stripped, as only a single competition seat with harnesses is required.  The rules actually require that any approved model used in GS class races be made available to any competitors (to prevent factories from building a few racecars strictly for their factory teams), but only Ford has complied with this requirement prior to 2007.  In 2007, Porsche now sells a GS class version of the GT3, but the Nethead here doesn't know what it is called by Porsche nor how much it would set you back if you decided to purchase one.  Ford's spec Mustang is called the FR500C, and costs about $76,000 in crates or about $125,000 ready to race and win, as they did just last Friday at Daytona.  Part of the cost of either the crate job or the fully-assembled FR500C is the Fikse racing wheels--over $4,000 for the set.  You could save that much $$$ if you already have a set of series-approved racing wheels from, say, an earlier Mustang that you campaigned in prior years.  Ditto the fuel cell, racing seat, racing harnesses, and doubtless other bits and pieces...Oh, yeah--your $125,000 also gets you some racing spares--Ford's FRPP website has a number you can call if you're interested in knowing what spares come with the car.  You can order one of these at any SVT Ford dealership, or you can order one thru the FRPP catalog and Ford will have Multimatic Motorsports of Canada build you one.  Be very aware that the GARRA rules officials will allow little deviation in the car, since the FR500Cs already have all the advantages a competent driver should need so they're not about to allow any additional advantages to slip into the races! 

[r0tor]

The three hour tour was well worth the trip, as less than five laps into his first practice session in the car, Tagliani pegged a time of 1:51.649 seconds in the new Rolex Sports Car Series GT-Class Ford Mustang Cobra GT, smashing the previous GT qualifying track record by nearly two seconds and proving to be quicker than the GT class pole-winning time set on Thursday.

it finished 32 in class...
... its fastest race lap was alos a full second off of the leaders
... it only completed 1/3 of the race

[r0tor]

r0tor:? Pay more attention, r0torDude!? That was no Mustang in the Rolex, just as it was no Pontiac G6 or Infiniti coupe, yada yada yada.? The Rolex GT cars are NASCAR juniors--custom-built steel-tube chasses, aftermarket brakes, replica bodies in various non-metallic materials (the Mustang's body was built by Crawford Composites--who also built a composite Infiniti for the Rolex GT--and then bolted the carbon fiber "Mustang" body onto a sorta generic shop-built Crawford front-engined, RWD chassis modified to the wheelbase length of a Mustang.? Since this was only the second such chassis built by Crawford (the Infiniti was the first one), lots of development was needed.? The same as all the other competitors in the Rolex GT races, but most of them have been building these specialized chasses for several years already.? At least the GARRA officialdom doesn't allow preposterous lowered-and-slanted-waaay-back-noses, narrowed greenhouses, butts-in-the-air body mods like NASCAR--yet...They probably don't allow FWD vehicles to race as RWD, but I'm not sure they're that "picky" since such preposterous masturbations have no appeal to me.? Consequently, the Nethead here has not scrutinized their rules, such as they are...
The GS class cars are hardly OEMs with just the door windows removed--roadracing rollcages, bladdered fuel cells, great leeway on the front brakes, no emissions requirements, no street unleaded gasoline requirements, no turn signal requirements, yada yada yada.? But they do require doors that open and close, functioning headlights/driving lights/taillights/brake lights, mufflers, and many restrictions on suspension modifications.? A few GM cars are allowed lightweight bodies to be competitive (CTS-Vs, Cobalts, maybe others) but the rest of the field is only allowed to use lightweight hoods--which Mustangs don't require because all Mustangs have aluminum hoods.? Interiors are stripped, as only a single competition seat with harnesses is required.? The rules actually require that any approved model used in GS class races be made available to any competitors (to prevent factories from building a few racecars strictly for their factory teams), but only Ford has complied with this requirement prior to 2007.? In 2007, Porsche now sells a GS class version of the GT3, but the Nethead here doesn't know what it is called by Porsche nor how much it would set you back if you decided to purchase one.? Ford's spec Mustang is called the FR500C, and costs about $76,000 in crates or about $125,000 ready to race and win, as they did just last Friday at Daytona.? Part of the cost of either the crate job or the fully-assembled FR500C is the Fikse racing wheels--over $4,000 for the set.? You could save that much $$$ if you already have a set of series-approved racing wheels from, say, an earlier Mustang that you campaigned in prior years.? Ditto the fuel cell, racing seat, racing harnesses, and doubtless other bits and pieces...Oh, yeah--your $125,000 also gets you some racing spares--Ford's FRPP website has a number you can call if you're interested in knowing what spares come with the car.? You can order one of these at any SVT Ford dealership, or you can order one thru the FRPP catalog and Ford will have Multimatic Motorsports of Canada build you one.? Be very aware that the GARRA rules officials will allow little deviation in the car, since the FR500Cs already have all the advantages a competent driver should need so they're not about to allow any additional advantages to slip into the races!?

Actually, the Porsche GT3 Cup cars have the stock 911 chassis underpinning the car.  Grand Am officials were annoyed at their dominance, and then allowed the tube chassis GTO (now "GXP.R"), RX8, Mustangs, 350Z's, G35's, Corvettes in to compete.

and the GS class Mustang still is allowed the 5.0L cammer engine while Porsche is required to run their production block 6 banger -yawn- 

[SVT666]

Actually, the Porsche GT3 Cup cars have the stock 911 chassis underpinning the car.? Grand Am officials were annoyed at their dominance, and then allowed the tube chassis GTO (now "GXP.R"), RX8, Mustangs, 350Z's, G35's, Corvettes in to compete.

and the GS class Mustang still is allowed the 5.0L cammer engine while Porsche is required to run their production block 6 banger -yawn-?

Hey Nethead, I told you the naysayers would find any excuse possible.  i even predicted the excuse.

[Raza]

Hey Nethead, I told you the naysayers would find any excuse possible.  i even predicted the excuse.

I believe his nay is at the fact that the Mustangs run a non-production motor, while the 911s run a production motor.  As I recall, Porsche and BMW did that in the past, but were forced to change.  I think that was ALMS, though.

[SVT666]

I believe his nay is at the fact that the Mustangs run a non-production motor, while the 911s run a production motor.? As I recall, Porsche and BMW did that in the past, but were forced to change.? I think that was ALMS, though.

Ford may be running 5.0L Cammer motors, but they are running with extremely restrictive restrictor plates in the intake, which dramatically reduces hp and torque.  The Mustang also runs with a solid rear axle and a couple hundred pounds of penalty weight, and yet continues to beat Porsche and BMW quite handily.

[The Pirate]

The naysayers are just irked that a car with a live rear axle, extra weight, and an American nameplate is competitive.

All this crap regulation does nothing for the sport.  Certainly, some regulations are necessary, but they get way to bogged down in semantics and bruised egos.  Just let 'em race. 

[Nethead]

r0tor:? It's sorta stupid to fault Ford for offering a quadcam 5.0 V8 in a Mustang, huh?? And only Ford has built and still builds identical models available to everyone--unlike all the rest of the GS class competitors until Porsche condescended to offer a GS class GT3 just this year.? Who else offered V8s in 1932?? V8s ARE Ford, if you know what I mean--why step down and build FR500Cs with V6s or flat 6s or straight 6s?? Others are already doing that, y'know?? Porsche is the king of the flat 6, BMW is the king of the straight 6, and Ford is the king of the V8--how abominably stupid it would be to build the FR500C without a V8!!!!?
OK, the Vanquish V12 would be a nice option on a Mustang, I admit...
But I digress: The FR500C is, after all, a small-engined GT500--think how GARRA officials would howl if the FR500C came with a 5.4 liter quadcam V8!? Not to mention an intercooled supercharger...
Ford complied with GARRA's regs, certified the FR500C, and abides by the requirement to provide identical copies to anyone.? Even you, r0tor, could own a brand-new quadcam 5.0 V8 6-speed racecar with the genuine ability to win a Grand Am Cup roadracing event--it ain't Ford's fault that you can't get that anywhere else...

[r0tor]

if Ford felt the Mustang chassis was up to par with Porsche, they would be running a production based 4.6L V8 against porsche's, bmw's, and nissan's 6 cylinders

... obviously they did not feel comfortable with it and needed concessions from their good ol nascar buddies running Grand Am 

[SVT666]

if Ford felt the Mustang chassis was up to par with Porsche, they would be running a production based 4.6L V8 against porsche's, bmw's, and nissan's 6 cylinders

... obviously they did not feel comfortable with it and needed concessions from their good ol nascar buddies running Grand Am?

The car meets the regulations set out by the governing body.  The 5.0L Cammer isn't producing anywhere near what it's rated at because of the restrictor plates.  The Mustang weighs more then the competition because of the added weight, and the Mustang has a handling "disadvantage" because of the solid axle.  A production GT3 can hang with a Z06 despite 100 less hp, so what's the excuse for the race cars?

BTW, what kind of power are the Porsche's pumping out of those 6 cylinder engines?

[ChrisV]

if Ford felt the Mustang chassis was up to par with Porsche, they would be running a production based 4.6L V8 against porsche's, bmw's, and nissan's 6 cylinders

... obviously they did not feel comfortable with it and needed concessions from their good ol nascar buddies running Grand Am 

The GT3's flat 6 is as close to a "production" unit as Ford's cammer, which is basically a bumped up 4.6 DOHC (or a strangled 5.4 liter, which is also production and makes more power than the race cars). Your arguments are flawed.

[r0tor]

The GT3's flat 6 is as close to a "production" unit as Ford's cammer, which is basically a bumped up 4.6 DOHC (or a strangled 5.4 liter, which is also production and makes more power than the race cars). Your arguments are flawed.

The GS class doesn't even allow porsche to run the GT3 engine, only the stock block 3.6L from the base 911... not even the carrera 3.8L for crying out loud

Porsche 997
(3.6) 2005
-2007
3.44:1 19.0 3075
Tire size: 245/45/17 front, 275/40/17 rear. OEM two-piece lower control arms
allowed. Must use OEM ECU with factory rev-limit. May use rear wing from kit
# 997-044-802-00. Allowed GT3 adjustable inside rear toe link. May use
alternate ABS controller.

[r0tor]

Ford Mustang
GT (5.0) 2005 3:55 :1 20.0 3225
Tire size: 275/35/18. 5.0 liter engine # M6007-R50P with fixed runner length at
3 and 4 inches. Must use ECU and exhaust manifold as supplied with engine.
M-7003 T56-RP transmission pkg. M-4602-J one pc. Driveshaft. M-3075-R
front control arm. M-3130R front outer tie rod. M-5649-R rear control arm. 355
mm front rotor with caliper upgrade per rule book. Fuel cell mounted behind
rear axle. 307-0011 Steeda Hood and 307-0009 Steeda rear wing allowed
Must use Grand American air restrictor as supplied. Steeda rear Panhard bar
#555-2551 allowed. Engine must be sealed as presented by Multimatic
Motorsports Inc. All rebuilds must be performed by Multimatic Motorsports
Inc. May use ABS unit #7R33-2C353-AB as alternate to the original.

[SVT666]

Must use Grand American air restrictor as supplied.

That's a very important line right there.

[r0tor]

That's a very important line right there.

which only exists because they are using a non production engine...

[SVT666]

which only exists because they are using a non production engine...

and the 911s are?  They might be using a production block, but I bet that's where the similarities end.

[Nethead]

r0tor: RoDude, you gotta start paying attention!? Take this quote of yours from the Grand Am Cup rules:

"Tire size: 275/35/18. 5.0 liter engine # M6007-R50P with fixed runner length at
3 and 4 inches. Must use ECU and exhaust manifold as supplied with engine.
M-7003 T56-RP transmission pkg. M-4602-J one pc. Driveshaft. M-3075-R
front control arm. M-3130R front outer tie rod. M-5649-R rear control arm. 355
mm front rotor with caliper upgrade per rule book. Fuel cell mounted behind
rear axle. 307-0011 Steeda Hood and 307-0009 Steeda rear wing allowed
Must use Grand American air restrictor as supplied. Steeda rear Panhard bar
#555-2551 allowed. Engine must be sealed as presented by Multimatic
Motorsports Inc. All rebuilds must be performed by Multimatic Motorsports
Inc. May use ABS unit #7R33-2C353-AB as alternate to the original."

Tire size--the FR500C could use 295s, but they're prohibited as are lower profile tires than 35s.? Some of the other cars are allowed lower profile tires, and some may be allowed wider ones as well.? Check the rules.

The fixed runner length manifold is to prevent Ford from using one of its two variable-intake-length manifolds that vary the runner length when accelerating.

The ECU is the street T50 'Cammer burn, and they won't allow FR500C teams to reflash those chips to a competition burn.

Ditto the exhaust manifold--which is a non-equal-length shortie for street T50 'Cammers so that the T50 will bolt up to stock Mustang GT cataclysmic perverters and exhausts.? GARRA won't allow tuned tube headers on the FR500C because that's big horsepower when you have two exhaust valves per cylinder.

The transmission is the transmission all FR500Cs are built with, and while it is a better roadracing transmission than the stock Mustang 5-speed manual it is less effective than the Tremec 6060 used in all GT500s--which isn't allowed even though it's being placed in around 800 GT500s every month.

The one-piece driveshaft--allowed for all competitors if desired--is considered a safety feature like driveshaft loops.? Naturally, vehicles with transaxles don't need this allowance.? It ain't a Mustang-specific thing--it's an everybody thing.

The tie rods and control arms are concessions required by virtually all the cars since lowering is permitted--these rods & arms allow adjusting the suspension for the lowering and for the width of the Hoosier racing tires.? Every single competitor may be lowering their cars to the allowable minimum ground clearance height--and those that do so require adjustable rods & arms to compensate for the lowering's effects upon the suspension and handling.? If you race with your car at its "stock" ground clearance height, then this is not a beneficial allowance for your car.? ?It ain't a Mustang-specific thing--it's an everybody thing.

Front rotor and caliper upgrades are allowed for everyone, I think, although those who race with the stock front rotors and calipers (if there is anyone who does) aren't taking advantage of this rule.? It ain't a Mustang-specific thing--it's an everybody thing.

The fuel cell mounted behind the rear axle is a punitive rule--the stock Mustang fuel tank location forward of the rear axle was considered too big of a handling advantage by the officials because it greatly reduced CG shift as the 20 gallons of allowable fuel depleted.? The stock Mustang fuel tank location also lowered the CG significantly.? So the officials said it must be moved to inside the trunk where it would raise the CG of the Mustang and increase the CG shift the same as all those competitors whose vehicles came with fuel tanks behind the rear axle(s).

No Mustang competitor has yet to race with the Steeda hood or with the Steeda wing--but this is a concession to Steve Steeda, who is a sponsor and supporter of the Grand Am Cup!? Every Mustang has an aluminum hood, and the R50 manifold fits perfectly fine underneath it--no raised fiberglass hood needed, thank you.? Some competitors have tested with the Steeda wing, but none have raced with it since the downforce generated by the Mustang's rear fenderline, fastback roofline, and relatively high trunklid create all the downforce needed--even in downpours.? Who needs the extra drag created by any and all wings if you have all the downforce you need without them?? No one may be using the Steeda Panhard bar, either, since those on the FR500C have done the job and done it well.? Scott Maxwell did the development testing on the FR500C, and the Panhard bar length and location he felt most comfortable with has pleased the FR500C teams very well--if the rules should change to allow big increases in horsepower, then some might switch from the excellent FR500C unit to the more adjustable Steeda unit.

"Must use Grand American air restrictor as supplied."? Take a wild guess--is this punitive or not?? No inlet dimensions are given so that the officials can mandate a reduction of the inlet area at any time without having to change the rulebook.

Engines sealed by Multimatic Motorsports is to prevent cheating--and GARRA tech inspectors only have to go to one place to see what's in the engine of any of the FR500C teams.? Rebuilds are limited to Multimatic Motorsports for the same reason.? This greatly reduces the burden on the GARRA tech inspectors, and makes sound economic sense in a no-prize-money racing series.

The ABS unit requirement isn't really a competitive thing, since no competitors were using ABS at all except for the FR500Cs--or at least until the FR500Cs conducted a high speed rain-racing clinic during the rain-soaked VIR race at the end of the '05 season--every top competitor gave ABS a second look after they saw how controlled the FR500Cs were on wet, dry, or mixed-conditions pavement.

Soooo, RoDude, you should now see how few of these rules were created to give Mustangs an "advantage"--naturally, I notice you didn't include the penalty lead plates all FR500Cs must have bolted to the passenger floorboard to make them the heaviest vehicles on the track.? Nor did you include the restricted lift/duration "street grind" camshafts or the prohibition of the use of the X-pipe that the R50 engine was developed with, and finally you've totally overlooked the two or three punitive final drive ratios mandated for the FR500Cs over the past two years.? GARRA first decreed very low ratios for the FR500Cs to reduce the top speed of the Mustangs--but then the Mustangs became killers out of the turns.? So they decreed very high ratios for the FR500Cs to reduce the low and mid-range acceleration--but then the Mustangs were running off and hiding on the straights.?

Sometimes, something comes along that's just right--the right power, the right handling, the right braking, the right reliability, the right adaptability, the right balance front-to-rear and left-to-right, the right frame/body rigidity, the right aerodynamics, and the right price.? They sell 'em at the Ford place.

[r0tor]

I am completely at a loss for a way to understand this argument...

car 1)  Has a stock production engine that is the lowest output engine available to the public for that lineup.  Is using the stock front and rear suspension control arms.  Is running the stock ECU.  Is running on 17 inch wheels with large sidewalls when the car is available to the public with 18s and 19s. Is running stock brakes. The only concessions given to the car is a rear wing, ABS controller, and rear suspension compnents available on a higher end model.

car 2) Has a non production engine built by a renown race team along with the exhaust manifold.  Is running non production suspension control arms front and rear that are optimized for racing.  It has a non production ECU and exhaust system, non production transmission, non productions driveshaft, 18 inch wheels on low profile tires, and larger then production brakes with a ABS controller.

and we cry about car 2 having a restrictor and a weight penalty and brag about how superior of a car it is because it has "restrictions" put on it?!?!?  Take a Mustang GT, make them use the 4.6L engine, stock exhaust, Mustang GT suspension components, and stock brakes like Porsche is required to and lets see what kind of race it is.


This is as embarrasing as the ST class where the RX8 running stock EVERYTHING sans shocks and springs and brake pads and dominated for 2 years - then Chevy was allowed to run the Cobalt with a supercharger with no control over boost, an open exhaust, larger brakes, severe weight reductions, and complete racing suspension package... resulting in the RX8 hardly even being competitive and only given an open exhaust system half way throught the season to make up for it.  Its rediculous NASCAR "make sure the domestic makers are winning" puke.

[r0tor]

and to dispell the other myth, this is how stock a 911 engine must be since they are given no allowances on the base 911 3.6L engine (ie the engine rule book)

7-8 Engine
7-8.1 Engine management systems may be replaced with non-OEM systems with Grand
American approval. Effective 01/01/08 all Grand Am Cup cars that choose to use
an aftermarket ECU must use the Grand American specified ECU and wiring
harness.
7-8.2 The following components may be tooled enough for balancing only - pistons, rods,
crankshaft, harmonic balancer, flywheel and clutch.
7-8.3 The lightest rod and piston must remain unaltered.
7-8.4 The crankshaft, flywheel and harmonic balancer may weigh no less than the OEM
specification.
7-8.5 Aftermarket pistons may be used provided they remain identical in weight, dimension
and form.
7-8.6 Allowed to overbore block up to .030 maximum.
7-8.7 The oil pan and oil pick up may be modified (not the pump)
7-8.8 Engine oil Accu-sump system and valve is permitted
7-8.9 All pushrod engines may use aftermarket blueprinted or adjustable length pushrods,
provided they are of the same material and configuration of the original.
7-8.10 Other items that may be replaced include cam gears, sprockets and chains.
7-8.11 The airbox and air filter are free on normally aspirated cars. Ram air induction is not
permitted.
7-8.12 Grand American will provide restrictors when required.Teams will be responsible
for gaskets and bolts to attach the restrictors

[r0tor]

all the rules are pretty easy to understand...

http://www.grandamerican.com/CONTENT/Docs/PDF/Rules/2007/KONIRules.pdf 

[SVT666]

Take a Mustang GT, make them use the 4.6L engine, stock exhaust, Mustang GT suspension components, and stock brakes like Porsche is required to and lets see what kind of race it is.

Yeah, let's take a stock $26K Mustang GT and race it against a Porsche that costs 4 times more that is designed for track use.  You're a frickin' genius.  Like I said before: a stock GT3 will hang with a Z06 with 100 less hp, so what is the race car's excuse?  People are just pissed that the Mustang is that damn good.

[r0tor]

People are just pissed that the Mustang is that damn good.

Its that damn good?  If it is, let it compete with similar levels of modifications as its competitors... for instance

BMW M3
Coupe (3.2)
2001-2004
3:91 19.0 3150
Tire size: 245 /45/17 front, 275/40/17 rear. Rear aero# 10 046 133. Allowed
alternative engine oiling system. Allowed four-piston, two-piece calipers. Front
brake upgrade allowed. Must use OEM air intake If dry sump is used the
battery may be relocated to a position over the rear axle.

BMW Z4 M
Coupe (3.2)
2007
3:62 19.0 2900
Tire size: 245 /45/17 front, 275/40/17 rear. Allowed alternative engine oiling
system. Front brake upgrade allowed. Must use OEM air intake ,Must use
OEM ECU. If dry sump is used the battery may be relocated to a position over
the rear axle

Nissan 350Z
(3.5) 2003 -
2006
3.53:1 19.0 2900
287 HP Track option model allowed. Tire size: 245/40/17 front, 275/40/17 rear.
NISMO Aero package #G2010-RNZ30 allowed. Exhaust headers allowed.
Allowed fabricated front upper control arm with sliding ball joint mount for
camber adjustment. Allowed 7 1/2 inch lightweight clutch/flywheel assembly.
Allowed Nismo cam kit part #99996-RSKK. Aftermarket front caliper upgrade
as per rules.

Pontiac GTO
2004 ( 5,7)
2005
3:73:1 20 3050
Tire size: 275/30/18, allowed front caliper upgrade, exhaust headers, Crane
cams # 144HR000085 allowed, aftermarket stub axels, and half shafts and
one piece driveshaft allowed, allowed two stage external dry sump.
Alternative front sway bar mounts allowed, Wheel to Wheel #1049-1001-01
and 02 front fenders allowed. GTO-C-017L&R front hubs are allowed


If its truely "that damn good" why can't it be given a header and some mild tweaks to the production parts like everyone else?  Is the big bad Porsche, M3, 350Z, Z4, and GTO really that scary that a 4.6L V8 is not adequate?  It seems that they are compensating for something when they run non production engines/suspensions/brakes/drivetrains against everyone else....

but then again, is it really suprising that NASCAR would let Ford and GM to have engine mods on engines that already have a huge displacement advantage over their competition   

[southdiver1]

I would still like to see a straight up "Trans-Am" type race.
The only upgrades would be the following:
Roll cages
glass replacement
Safety harnesses
Tires.
Thats it.  No removal of seats, no CUP flashing, no upgraded exhaust.

[SVT666]

I would still like to see a straight up "Trans-Am" type race.
The only upgrades would be the following:
Roll cages
glass replacement
Safety harnesses
Tires.
Thats it.? No removal of seats, no CUP flashing, no upgraded exhaust.

...and suspension and brake mods.  The cars have to be safe afterall.