CP15 the Silver car at Nardo was slightly faster than
PB1.1 theYellow car.
By less than one mile per hour.
Thinking it was because Cp15 was a generation older in the prototype build schedule.
And its engine was fully broken-in. At that time PB1. Was still a cream puff with only a few miles on her.
There are lots of great stories about both cars in development.
But the most recent is of course the freshest and solid.
After more than a year I had not the privilege to wheel a FGT.
Then after a log hot day in the sun. At the track in Vegas last August.
I was handed the keys to PB1.1 for a few laps around the road course.
Jumped in and ripped off some laps. I was a bit rusty but after 3-4 laps again started to feel comfortable sliding around under throttle.
Nearly everyone had gone home and I had the track to my self.
Sneaking up to speed foot on the floor through second and then third gear up the front straight. My thoughts went to “Dam this car has not lost a thing”.
I am still amazed by the way you can beat on this thing. And it comes back for more.
When you think about the number of drivers and the shear quantity of testing done to and in the small number of prototypes SVT had.
The things we did to those cars in the name of development and durability would make you sick. We would drive them to a race track. Run a durability test for 24 hours of on track time. Doing nothing but change the tires and add fuel. And then after 3 long days of thrashing the girl, it would be driven back to Dearborn to start yet one more test.
Some times in the lab on a chassis dyno. Or on the proving grounds. But the race tracks will always be the most memorable. We also used PB1.1 for most of the performance work. Even a few aftermarket parts were tried. All the Hoosier tire testing, some Brake pads, even my Penske Shocks. We were aloud to get a bit wild at times, it was big fun.
Places like:
Grattan Raceway
Mid-Ohio
Nelson Ledges
Barber Motorsports Park
Gingerman
PB1.1 also was tasked with performing at SVTOA events. Giving on track rides for charity. I was privileged when asked to drive at a few events.
The most memorable was the SVTOA @ Summit Point.
We used the Shenandoah Circuit. And if any of you know the place.
There is an up-hill climb that crests under the bridge.
Just as you reach peak torque in third gear. The road drops away.
If done correctly you are airborne with 4 wheels off for what feels like 60 feet.
You lift off the pedal long enough to not pop the axle CV joints.
Then softly land on the downhill side, step back into the throttle and charge the next corner.
While this is happening the passengers next to me were testing the brake pedal on their side. And wondering if the 20 bucks they donated to Big Brothers and Big Sisters was a good investment?
People lined up along the bridge railing to watch the show for two days straight.
It was the wildest thing ever. Felt like a circus performer, and raised over 6K for the
Kids.
Back at FGT meet in Vegas. I am standing on the load pedal spinning the now bald rear tires in third gear. After all that, Thing is still Bad Ass and still scary fast.
THE FGT IS THE REAL DEAL
PB1.1 theYellow car.
By less than one mile per hour.
Thinking it was because Cp15 was a generation older in the prototype build schedule.
And its engine was fully broken-in. At that time PB1. Was still a cream puff with only a few miles on her.
There are lots of great stories about both cars in development.
But the most recent is of course the freshest and solid.
After more than a year I had not the privilege to wheel a FGT.
Then after a log hot day in the sun. At the track in Vegas last August.
I was handed the keys to PB1.1 for a few laps around the road course.
Jumped in and ripped off some laps. I was a bit rusty but after 3-4 laps again started to feel comfortable sliding around under throttle.
Nearly everyone had gone home and I had the track to my self.
Sneaking up to speed foot on the floor through second and then third gear up the front straight. My thoughts went to “Dam this car has not lost a thing”.
I am still amazed by the way you can beat on this thing. And it comes back for more.
When you think about the number of drivers and the shear quantity of testing done to and in the small number of prototypes SVT had.
The things we did to those cars in the name of development and durability would make you sick. We would drive them to a race track. Run a durability test for 24 hours of on track time. Doing nothing but change the tires and add fuel. And then after 3 long days of thrashing the girl, it would be driven back to Dearborn to start yet one more test.
Some times in the lab on a chassis dyno. Or on the proving grounds. But the race tracks will always be the most memorable. We also used PB1.1 for most of the performance work. Even a few aftermarket parts were tried. All the Hoosier tire testing, some Brake pads, even my Penske Shocks. We were aloud to get a bit wild at times, it was big fun.
Places like:
Grattan Raceway
Mid-Ohio
Nelson Ledges
Barber Motorsports Park
Gingerman
PB1.1 also was tasked with performing at SVTOA events. Giving on track rides for charity. I was privileged when asked to drive at a few events.
The most memorable was the SVTOA @ Summit Point.
We used the Shenandoah Circuit. And if any of you know the place.
There is an up-hill climb that crests under the bridge.
Just as you reach peak torque in third gear. The road drops away.
If done correctly you are airborne with 4 wheels off for what feels like 60 feet.
You lift off the pedal long enough to not pop the axle CV joints.
Then softly land on the downhill side, step back into the throttle and charge the next corner.
While this is happening the passengers next to me were testing the brake pedal on their side. And wondering if the 20 bucks they donated to Big Brothers and Big Sisters was a good investment?
People lined up along the bridge railing to watch the show for two days straight.
It was the wildest thing ever. Felt like a circus performer, and raised over 6K for the
Kids.
Back at FGT meet in Vegas. I am standing on the load pedal spinning the now bald rear tires in third gear. After all that, Thing is still Bad Ass and still scary fast.
THE FGT IS THE REAL DEAL
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