It really is amazing. Hugely crossed up, Ken could summon funny-car wheelspin at big speeds, and still accelerate. Smoke billowing, engine and tires screaming, it's a rush all by itself. With another car inches away it must be a real pants wetter. If you haven't seen a drift show, it's worth the bother, and now you'll have a Mustang to watch as well. At press time, Ken became the first driver to pilot a Mustang to victory in the Formula D Championship.
Toyo Proxes T1RToyo would like us to tell you about its newest flagship tire, the ultra-high-performance T1R. From the outside, the T1R features a new tread pattern, but the real tech is not visible, hidden as it is in the tire's internal construction and chemistry.
Trying for both wet and dry grip, the T1R features Toyo's latest high-silica compounding for improved wet traction, along with something called an ultra-high-molecular polymer. This helps toughen the tread surface for better dry cornering performance.
In the carcass, more rigid shoulders and a circumferential rib-band improve both lateral and fore/aft stability for better cornering and braking. Toyo's best building practices go into the T1R, of course, for maximum uniformity tire-to-tire.
Tread improvements are aimed at wet handling and noise reduction. The center tread directs water outward for what Toyo characterizes as exceptional resistance to hydro-planing. Tread designs include both a half pitch and single pitch patterns to hush the harmonics throughout the tire's life.
Look for a wide range of fitments, including 14- through 21-inch diameters. For more information on the T1R or Toyo's 60th Anniversary, see www.toyo.com.
Tech SpecsEngine And DrivetrainBlock4.6 iron '04 CobraCylinder HeadsFour-Valve '04 CobraIntake Manifold'04 Cobra, Cobra air meter, clean air tubeCamshaftsFRPPPower AdderFRPP/Whipple screw blower, 14 pounds of boostExhaustMagnaFlow after-cat Fuel PumpStock '05 Mustang GTFuel InjectorsWhipple upgradeTransmissionTremec T56, custom DriveshaftTwo-piece customRearend8.8-in live axle, 4.10 gears
ElectronicsEngine Management'04 Cobra Ignition'04 CobraGaugesFord Racing
Suspension And ChassisFront SuspensionSpringsCoiloverStruts CoiloverShocksCoiloverWheels18-in Konig alloyTiresToyo Proxes T1R 245/40ZR-18BrakesWilwood four-piston aluminum calipers, lightweight rotors, Wilwood master cylinder, bias control, hydraulic e-brakeRear SuspensionTraction devicesEndless Zeal three-link, FRPP lower control arms, Panhard bar w/spherical rod ends ShocksCoiloverSprings CoiloverWheels18-in Konig alloyTiresToyo Proxes T1R 275/35ZR-18BrakesWilwood four-piston aluminum calipers, lightweight rotors, Wilwood master cylinder, bias control, hydraulic e-brakeChassis stiffening'05 Mustang GT, Advance Design Fabrication rollcage