TOOELE, UT (22 June 2010) – Whether it is getting a good jump on a restart or cutting the chicane as close as they dare, every racer is looking for the chance to move up. And that’s not just true on the track, as drivers know that they have to make the most of every opportunity off the track as well.
BFGoodrich Tires and the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge have combined to create exactly the kind of opportunity a driver craves--the chance to make a big move up to the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge.
The “Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout” will put one driver behind the wheel for the season-finale Mustang Challenge race at Miller Motorsports Park on September 11. The Mustang Challenge Shootout mixes talent, new media savvy, and the drive to win to give one driver the chance of a lifetime.
Racers who think that they’ve got what it takes can upload a video demonstrating why they would be a good candidate to race in the Mustang Challenge. Drivers can use videos that have been posted on BFGoodrich's Nation of Go, YouTube, or a video site of their choice.
Entries will be accepted starting immediately, with the deadline for filing an entry being the checkered flag for round nine of the 2010 Mustang Challenge season at Autobahn Speedway(August 1st). From the submitted videos, five entrants will be selected as final contestants.
From there, the real competition kicks off as the finalists will travel to Miller Motorsports Park and receive training at the Ford Racing Miller Performance Training Center before being run through a variety of exercises in and out of the Ford Mustangs. And it won’t just be their stopwatches that the judges will be looking at, as the panel of judges on hand will watch as the drivers show their skills along the same scope of talents that are required for pro racing success in the modern world, from data analysis and media interaction to the ability to find a strong set up quickly.
For the finalists, the goal will be simple--convince the panel of judges that they are the driver who should be taking the green flag as the Mustang Challenge season finale kicks off.
All applicants must hold a valid race license (SCCA, NASA, ASN-FIA Kart, – see Rules for more information), but not have any pro racing starts on their racing resume. The contest is open to individuals ages 18 and older residing in the United States and Canada.
The judges will review all eligible videos received during the contest period. The judges will evaluate each video based on quality, content, personality and overall entertainment and select the five videos that best convey a candidate who can go the full distance to make it to race in the Mustang Challenge.
Region: SFR
Car #: 82/73
Year : 1991 Posts: 2015
Status: Offline
posted
I think Andrew Caddell would win this hands down...
-------------------- Kim
91 BRG SMT RIP 06 MX-5 Cup
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy sh*t...what a ride!'" - Unknown
Region: washington
Year : 1990 sm 1990 ssm 2007 MX5 Cup Posts: 62
Status: Offline
posted
I was told that the Mustang series ends this Sept. DONE. In fact they still have cars that were produced by Ford but never sold for sale. Could be a god buy only 75 were made by Ford. I believe the price now is around 45000. I was told this by a racer in the series.
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
Thanks, Michael!
David, you are correct. The cars are a steal at that price if you consider that they will be legal for World Challenge GTS class. No cheaper way to go WC racing!
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
I'm in! They just notified me last night.
So now I get to compete in a Mazda-Shootout-esque competition against 4 other finalists at Miller on September 6-8. Winner gets to race that weekend in the final Mustang Challenge race.
I'll try to follow in Andrew's footsteps and represent for the sm community.
Cheers,
Dean
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: Utah
Car #: 93
Year : 1996 Posts: 83
Status: Offline
posted
Looks like you'll be making an extended stay here in Utah!
Good Luck. And if you need any tips on how to pass some time in between race weekends let me know. A place to eat, something to see, Good trails for a bike ride or hike, etc...
Region: SFR
Car #: 82/73
Year : 1991 Posts: 2015
Status: Offline
posted
Congrats Dean! Good luck!
-------------------- Kim
91 BRG SMT RIP 06 MX-5 Cup
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy sh*t...what a ride!'" - Unknown
Best of luck Dean...look forward to seeing how you do!!
Ron
-------------------- -RA
"Happy birthday, I didn't get you a present...Oh, mom got you one? Well, that's from me then too, unless it's shitty." 9:52 AM Sep 14th, 2009 via web http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Region: SFR
Car #: 82/73
Year : 1991 Posts: 2015
Status: Offline
posted
Congrats to Dean Thomas for winning the Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout! Good luck this weekend!
-------------------- Kim
91 BRG SMT RIP 06 MX-5 Cup
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy sh*t...what a ride!'" - Unknown
quote:Originally posted by Kim Ouye: Congrats to Dean Thomas for winning the Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout! Good luck this weekend!
Details?????
-------------------- -RA
"Happy birthday, I didn't get you a present...Oh, mom got you one? Well, that's from me then too, unless it's shitty." 9:52 AM Sep 14th, 2009 via web http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Based on what I'm reading DT finished a respectable 8th out of 20 in his first Pro start
Live timing of todays race starts at 12pm pacific, 1pm mountain.
mustangchallenge.com
-------------------- -RA
"Happy birthday, I didn't get you a present...Oh, mom got you one? Well, that's from me then too, unless it's shitty." 9:52 AM Sep 14th, 2009 via web http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Region: SFR
Car #: 82/73
Year : 1991 Posts: 2015
Status: Offline
posted
And he was running 4th, challenging for 3rd when a RF hub failure dropped him back to 11th in the last few laps of the 2nd race. Ran the whole race with a deteriorating hub and still ran the 2nd fastest lap of the race!
-------------------- Kim
91 BRG SMT RIP 06 MX-5 Cup
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy sh*t...what a ride!'" - Unknown
Region: WDC
Car #: #23
Year : 1991 Posts: 642
Status: Offline
posted
Yea, I told a buddy who is in the series to follow Dean. Seen enough of his vids to know how he'd fair. Nice job Dean! Shame about the mechanical but it is a Ford.
-------------------- Muda Motorsports "We're all here 'cause we're not all there."
Region: SFR
Car #: 89
Year : 90 Posts: 163
Status: Offline
posted
If I know Dean he will have some video up for us in the next few days. I think it was all that practice in the ford powered V8 volvo he's been seen in. Dean you are a class act and I am sure you opened up a few eyes with your video intro and following it up with the driving.
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
The Ford High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park crew took care of my race car all week/weekend. It was an INCREDIBLE experience, and I'm proud of the results.
Region: Utah
Car #: 93
Year : 1996 Posts: 83
Status: Offline
posted
Good Racing Dean! I was watching Sundays race from the wilson grandstands over by the clubhouse. I was rooting for you, Pratt Cole and Ben Crosland. Ben obviously did pretty well for himself with the victory, but It was initially pretty exciting for me to have you and Pratt nose to tail for a few laps until he got black flagged. You did a great job until the mechanical. Really stood your own against the series veterans with much more time behind the wheel of those mustangs! You were hanging strong looking at that 3rd position for quite a while and the guy in 5th didn't really have much for you.
It was a fun race to watch!
Also a second nod to Dan McKeever. He has helped lots of us over the years, he's a great instructor and a great cheerleader. He's also a long time SM guy and will be racing with us this week in the championships. That's really great that you could spend some time with him this past week.
Region: OR
Car #: 88
Year : 1990 Posts: 186
Status: Offline
posted
I am fortunate enough to be a part of the Miller Racing School and got to work with and be around Dean this weekend a little bit. I can not say enough about how much of a pleasure it is to be around Dean and how great a job he did throughout the weekend. He is a great all around racer and did a fantastic job around some very good experienced Mustang drivers. No doubt that a little more time with that Mustang and he would be consistently on the podium. Nicely done Dean!
I am speculating that with all that seat time this week on the outer loop Dean is going to do very very well at the NASA Championships. Good Luck! I will see you at the 25 hour.
Region: San Francisco
Car #: 34
Year : 1992 Posts: 2279
Status: Offline
posted
What did Pratt get black flagged for? Nice dance with the Green/white car around Wildcat. So I take it those loud grinding sounds are from the wheel bearing? Sounded ugly. Great drive. Looking forward to seeing the rest of it. Maybe I'll catch it at Miller tomorrow when I see you!
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
Grand Am rules state that you cannot move out of position or initiate a pass until you've crossed the start line, no matter when the gren flag flies. Pretty clear violation if you watch the video.
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: Kansas City
Car #: 95
Year : 1991 Posts: 311
Status: Offline
posted
AWESOME Entry Video and nice drive. Once Mr. Black Flag got out of your way, you scooted up on the front-runners pretty handily.
Nicely done.
I'd be curious to hear your observations about how the Stangs performed versus your experience in SM. Looked like the corners would have been frustrating, but fun to power out of.
Region: Waterford Hills
Car #: 38
Year : 96 Posts: 348
Status: Offline
posted
It is sad to see that series go. It had a lot going for it. The cars were very dependable and fast for what they were. Ford did a great job on the ER&D. It also was a great place for SM drivers to shine.
I was Car Chief for Capaldi for a year and was surprised the times the cars could lay down.
JD, it all makes sense seeing you at Barber in 2009 for the MCS event. I couldn’t figure it out at the time. JD at a all Mustang event? No Mazdas and JD. Didn't add up. Now it’s all clear.
-------------------- Ralph Provitz #38 2008 WHRRI SM Champion 2008 WHRRI Top 10 Overall V2 Motorsports, Race support, Data Dude