Well, it's time. There's 6 months to go, and we've got to get this ball rolling. It's been a tough year for the Ford GT Forum, and we lost a great friend, but onward we go. I'm excited to let everyone know the dates and location for Ford GT National Rally IV - Austin, TX October 14th-17th, 2009.
You may be asking yourself "Hmm, why Austin?" and "Hmm, why October?" Well, there's a couple pretty exciting reasons for that. Let's just say that if you want, you'll get your fill of Ford GT action, which is what these events are all about.
As you probably know, the Texas Mile in Goliad Texas has grown from a 1-day deal to become a 3-day event. At the last event, there were over 1260 runs made over the 3 days! The event was covered by the Speed Channel and several Ford GT's were featured on the Speed Show "Supercars Exposed". For a sample, check out the video below:
Well, for their 5th anniversay and our 4th, we're proud to partner Ford GT National Rally IV with The Texas Mile! They are adding a 4th day to the event on Thursday October 15th just for us! Woooooohoooo! Here's the chance for you to safely and legally run your Ford GT out for a full mile, and many of you will hit speeds well in excess of 200 mph. There will likely be many GT's on hand laying down all kinds of record breaking speeds. This is what these things were made to do! Depends on our turnout, but you will get the chance to make many runs with the runway all to ourselves for the first day of this great event.
But the GT is no one trick pony. After we ring them out in straight line, we'll move to Texas World Speedway to run the GT's on a big bad road course. Last year was good enough fun being out on the track, either by yourself, or as a passenger in one of the Ford GT's driven by Ford GT Driving Dynamics guru's Mark McGowan and Gene Martindale, as well as GT hotshoe Roketman. This year's track run should be much more fun.
And lastly, our good friends at Lonestar Motorsports Park and Hennessey Performance Engineering have invited us out to their facility on Saturday. They've made the drag strip available for drag racing, 60-130 runs, the dyno facility to run the cars on the dyno, and the chance to check out all the cool stuff at their brand new 24,000 sq/ft facility and racetrack.
So that's it. 1 mile runs, road course driving, drag strip and 60-130 racing. Oh, and did I mention the Texas Hill Country? There will be multiple great road routes to choose from, so get in a pack, hit the road, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being in a pack of fellow Ford GT's on the open road hitting the curves with some friends.
Of course, that's just the car side. You know there will be great dinners with old and new friends, discussions, presentations, members of the Ford GT team, our annual charity auction and more. And if you like to party, we'll be staying just a few blocks walk from Sixth Street. I can safely say that yes, the Ford GT Forum likes to have a party (within walking distance of the hotel. :biggrin)
So all the final details regarding lodging will be out this week and registration will be up.
On one final note, pending any changes to the plan, ChipBeck has agreed to Lorna Bonyhadi's request to fly to Fresno and pick up our beloved Daniel Bonyhadi's ashes to be scattered at Rally IV. I intend to take Bony on one last 200 mph ride at the Texas Mile and see him off amongst friends and comrades and the cars he loved. I know he would have loved that. He will be with us always, and he will be with us in Austin.
So that's the scoop. I hope to see you there. Who's coming?
You may be asking yourself "Hmm, why Austin?" and "Hmm, why October?" Well, there's a couple pretty exciting reasons for that. Let's just say that if you want, you'll get your fill of Ford GT action, which is what these events are all about.
As you probably know, the Texas Mile in Goliad Texas has grown from a 1-day deal to become a 3-day event. At the last event, there were over 1260 runs made over the 3 days! The event was covered by the Speed Channel and several Ford GT's were featured on the Speed Show "Supercars Exposed". For a sample, check out the video below:
Well, for their 5th anniversay and our 4th, we're proud to partner Ford GT National Rally IV with The Texas Mile! They are adding a 4th day to the event on Thursday October 15th just for us! Woooooohoooo! Here's the chance for you to safely and legally run your Ford GT out for a full mile, and many of you will hit speeds well in excess of 200 mph. There will likely be many GT's on hand laying down all kinds of record breaking speeds. This is what these things were made to do! Depends on our turnout, but you will get the chance to make many runs with the runway all to ourselves for the first day of this great event.
But the GT is no one trick pony. After we ring them out in straight line, we'll move to Texas World Speedway to run the GT's on a big bad road course. Last year was good enough fun being out on the track, either by yourself, or as a passenger in one of the Ford GT's driven by Ford GT Driving Dynamics guru's Mark McGowan and Gene Martindale, as well as GT hotshoe Roketman. This year's track run should be much more fun.
And lastly, our good friends at Lonestar Motorsports Park and Hennessey Performance Engineering have invited us out to their facility on Saturday. They've made the drag strip available for drag racing, 60-130 runs, the dyno facility to run the cars on the dyno, and the chance to check out all the cool stuff at their brand new 24,000 sq/ft facility and racetrack.
So that's it. 1 mile runs, road course driving, drag strip and 60-130 racing. Oh, and did I mention the Texas Hill Country? There will be multiple great road routes to choose from, so get in a pack, hit the road, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being in a pack of fellow Ford GT's on the open road hitting the curves with some friends.
Of course, that's just the car side. You know there will be great dinners with old and new friends, discussions, presentations, members of the Ford GT team, our annual charity auction and more. And if you like to party, we'll be staying just a few blocks walk from Sixth Street. I can safely say that yes, the Ford GT Forum likes to have a party (within walking distance of the hotel. :biggrin)
So all the final details regarding lodging will be out this week and registration will be up.
On one final note, pending any changes to the plan, ChipBeck has agreed to Lorna Bonyhadi's request to fly to Fresno and pick up our beloved Daniel Bonyhadi's ashes to be scattered at Rally IV. I intend to take Bony on one last 200 mph ride at the Texas Mile and see him off amongst friends and comrades and the cars he loved. I know he would have loved that. He will be with us always, and he will be with us in Austin.
So that's the scoop. I hope to see you there. Who's coming?
- DBK
- fjpikul
- THamonGT
- BlackIce
- Blue Moose
- shelbyelite
- Awsum GT
- RADGT
- Mark06GT
- Indy GT
- 66GT40
- 427aggie
- dandaman
- tmcphail
- The Grey Ghost
- Nardo GT
- The Chet Offensive
- Ralphie
- getbit
- PL510*Jeff
- Shelby#18
- Hennessey Performance
- Midnite Blu
- GT38
- GT350H
- 93extxdps
- Ed Sims
- ChipBeck
- jbsteven
- texas mongrel
- specracer
- Heffner Performance
- pe2unia
- PeakCompletions
- S592R
- Fubar
- Gadgetman
- KDO GT
- Cody@A.R.T
- MAD IN NC
- Silverbullitt
- HiloDave
- TriHeart7
- soroush
- ByeEnzo
- Spirit
- Tugboat
- SuperB
- Joe Dozzo
- AMB
- shesgotlegs
- Lightning
- SW
- Love My GTX1
- BigInch Blake
- Roketman
- RedGT
- fly-by
- SFM6S006
- 1418
- SYCO GT
- Stormcat
- FB GT40
- Gill Jr.
- kumar
- FlagstaffGT
- dbtgt
- jaxgt
- KJRGT
- TimCantwell
- digman1
- sinovac
- AJB
- jkgt
- gtjim
- DoctorV8
- Cobra
- GordonWolf
- AlohaGT
- NJGT
- cobraowner
- PILOTJPW1
- Lew
- UFO74
- pauleddy
- LOVE CHP
- huffmantim
- macjec
- DRIVEBY
- AZSTAD
- FlorIdahoChris
- donnymac
- Viper 1
- BigsGT
- Stunts
- JBG
- cobrajeff
- Anya
- SFMS600S
- MarkH
- Kip Ewing
- ENZO BTR
