Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 Joins Steeda Mustangs at Sebring

On Friday, Ford's chief engineer of the all new 2005 Mustang, Hau Tai Tang spoke at the Vendor Meet & Greet, and in so

The Steeda fleet at rest early Sunday, before the crowd pleasing action started. (Photo: Steeda Autosport)

doing shared his insider's view of what lies ahead for Ford performance enthusiasts, including the exciting all new Sport Trac Adrenalin (see automotive news section for Mar 21, 2005: Ford to Spice Up New York Auto Show with Sport Trac Adrenalin Concept).

Of course, cars were the stars of this event, both in the show and on the track. David Siegel of Total Mustang Supply rode herd on the car show crowd, where a handsome collection of cars and trucks were on display, and the judges were astute enough to differentiate between a little tire smut on the fenders, fresh from an on-track excursion and a vehicle that was just dirty. The showcase opportunity was also put to good use by Ford - they had a yellow GT on hand for the event, and when the red Shelby GT 500 arrived on Saturday, the SVT display was SRO as folks young and old got to look at, in and under the prototype, scheduled for delivery in the '07 model year (see Ford within the concept car or prototype section of this site: 2005 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 Concept).

Classroom instruction was held for drivers on all levels, with in-car instruction on the track for novices as well, all coordinated by the SVTOA. For the hardcore

Ford's Shelby Cobra GT500 arrived on Saturday, and shortly thereafter the crowd went wild. (Photo: Steeda Autosport)

performance enthusiast, it doesn't get any better than this - you, and your Ford, running at speed on the open road course. Steeda's Roger Leeper attempted to calculate the "smilage" at the event, but it proved futile as the enjoyment was multiplied, lap after lap.

Professional race drivers Lance Stewart and Charles Espenlaub were also on hand, giving enthusiasts, SVTOA members and Steeda employees rides in the #20 Steeda Q400R, '95 Steeda Cobra R (the first production Mustang to win a professional road race in 20 years), and the '93 Steeda Cobra R (the Cobra used by Ford Engineering and Steeda to develop brakes for the 1993 Cobra R program).