2006 Ford Mustang GT - Splitter Personality

Reliable power comes by way... 

   

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Reliable power comes by way of about 12 psi of boost from an intercooled MagnaCharger MP-112H hybrid Roots blower atop an otherwise-stock Three-Valve modular. The twin-65mm throttle body comes from a 6.8-liter V-10. Taking no chances with cooling, Mark added Ford Racing's M-8005-S197 high-performance aluminum radiator, said to be good for up to 700 hp.

The car's aero package is obvious at a glance; it's the same as those on the FR500S Miller Cup Mustangs. The chin spoiler and splitter, grille, and rear wing are manufactured by Classic Design Concepts and available through Ford Racing. They lend an inarguably racy look, and no doubt proved handy on some of One Lap's high-speed tracks.

Which brings us to the interior-a key to success not just at the race venues, but also as a safe haven for consuming all those heart-blitzing cans of energy drink and bags of highly nutritious gas-station road food during the mind- and butt-numbing hours spent commuting between tracks. Obvious is the driver's Corbeau Forza bucket and Simpson five-point belts (passengers are not permitted during the competitive segments, so the shotgun seat remains stock), but some less obvious enhancements are just as important. Like all the satellite radio paraphernalia-gotta have road tunes!-and the GPS unit for finding the quickest routes around the country. While these latter items are not normally considered essential-or desirable-in a race car, One Lap of America has a different set of requirements for success (and survival).

Speaking of success, Mark's carefully prepped GT was good enough to win its class in the '08 One Lap. It was also good enough to carry both he and his co-driver through a harried week with virtually no true rest, as well as serve as Mark's daily commuter while awaiting next year's One Lap of America.

It doesn't have the gutted look of a race car, does it? On the contrary, Mark has added entertainment and navigation hardware, both for the thousands of miles rolled during One Lap and for his daily commute. Oh, and the switchbox above the gentle reminder to turn off the traction control is used to engage the GT's remote-mounted radar protection hardware...