Our Humble Beginnings
February 20, 2009
The S197 Mustang platform retro styling and bang
for the buck pricing made the 2005 and later series yet another hit for Ford.
Like earlier models, the aftermarket was quick to provide performance parts for
the casual cruiser through dedicated racer. It's now well documented that with
forced induction (a supercharger or turbo), and a few suspension components, the
S197 Mustang easily manages ETs in the sub 11.00 range, and beyond. There is,
however, a growing contingent of both weekend racer and serious drag racing
community that are pushing the boundaries of the naturally aspirated 4.6l motor.
A handful of pioneers have demonstrated high 11 second times with careful
adjustments to intake and exhaust bolt-ons, aftermarket cams, suspension
changes, and weight reduction to reach those ETs. This is quite an
accomplishment for a 3500 pound car pushing 300 hp at the crank from the
factory.
Soon after the 2005 Mustang hit the streets,
enthusiast support sites on the internet sprung up rapidly, and it was on one
such site,
www.S197forum.com, that drag racing enthusiasts traded techniques and
countless hours at the track pushing the limits of the naturally aspirated
platform. Based on the growing interest in naturally aspirated drag racing, five
forum members from the mid-Atlantic region decided to develop a company to
promote events and support for the S197 community. In February 2009, Five Guys
Racing was born.
The firsThe first racing event, to be held at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina, will
feature 4 naturally aspirated classes and for some high speed fun, 2 forced
injection classes. Special guests with Ford Lightnings and other Ford
performance vehicles have been invited as well. For future events, Five Guys
Racing intends to support other Mustang platforms and classes as time and
interest permit.
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