| 2011 Shelby GT350 To Pace Nascar Race |
Those who attend the 2010 Shelby American Sprint Cup Nascar race will see the 2011 Shelby GT350 make history as it paces the Nascar race on February 28th. It will be the first opportunity for the public to see the supercharged muscle car at speed and the first time for a Shelby GT350 to pace a Nascar event when it circles the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Shelby American race.
"When we unveiled the new 2011 Shelby GT350 last month, fans clamored for the car to pace this Nascar race," said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby American. "Since so much of the GT350 was developed on the road course, drag strip and oval of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it was appropriate to show off the Shelby's handling there during the race. It will be exciting to watch a Shelby GT350 lead a race for the first time since 1970."
The Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang GT based 2011 Shelby GT350 to the surprise of thousands gathered at the Barrett Jackson Auction opening night gala to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350. It was an immediate hit with the crowd.
"The Shelby GT350 was designed to be nimble and powerful," added Gary Davis, vice president of production for Shelby American. "Beginning with the new 2011 ‘small block' Ford Mustang GT, we created a car that is as fun to drive as the 1965-1970 model year Shelby GT350 but thoroughly modern. It's a true driver's car."
The Shelby GT350 is a post title program; a customer purchases a car from their local Ford dealer, which is turned into a GT350 by the Shelby American Team. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year. A Ford Mustang GT can be dropped shipped by a Ford dealer to Shelby's Las Vegas facility for conversion or a customer can arrange to have a properly specified car transported to the factory.
Each GT350 will be clad in traditional white with Shelby Guardsman blue Le Mans stripes and feature the new Coyote 5.0L Ford V8 coupled to a 6 speed transmission and center exit exhaust. Blue Shelby GT350 valve covers and billet caps set off the supercharged engine. The Baer brake system features 6 piston kit in the front, as well as 14" Eradispeed rotors in the rear with cooling ducts for all four corners.
The suspension was upgraded with new Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable caster/camber plates. The car also receives a new front fascia, tail light trim, front splitter, rear deck lid filler panel and rear fascia. Functional scoops are located on the side rockers and hood. GT350 badges on the outside and inside include a Shelby serial number. The A pillar carries a fuel pressure, oil pressure and boost gauge.
Shelby teamed up with Las Vegas Motor Speedway this for the event on Feb. 28, which is called the Shelby American to honor the 45th anniversary of the Shelby GT350. The 2010 Nascar weekend will kick off with qualifying for the Shelby American Nascar Sprint Cup Series race on Friday, Feb. 26. The Sam's Town 300 Nascar Nationwide Series race is set for Saturday, Feb. 27, while the Sprint Cup race will be the next day.
Source: Shelby American
Related:
2011 Shelby GT350 Revealed
2011 Shelby GT350 Pictures
2011 GT500 Information
2011 GT500 Photo Gallery
2011 GT500 SVT Performance Package Details
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