Bold Moves: Knight Rider series to be featured on No. 28 car in NASCAR Sprint Cup

Ford has never had an issue with promoting the Mustang brand, a verity that resounds throughout its promotions of the new Knight Rider remake on NBC. Not only is the GT500KR KITT featured relentlessly in the pseudo-commercial series, but the series itself is being promoted in the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup series.

NBC recently announced a partnership with Yates Racing and Ford Motor Company to feature a Knight Rider paint scheme on Travis Kvapil’s No. 28 car at Bristol this Sunday. The first episode of the hit series will air on Wednesday, September 24 at 8:00pm EST.

“This is such an awesome sponsor for our team at Bristol,” commented Kvapil. “The television series ‘Knight Rider’ is a show that everyone can get hooked on. I think it’s really cool that NBC has chosen to reinvent the series for the Fall line-up. The best part about the show was always the car, KITT, and this is amazing that I get to drive a version of KITT for the night race at Bristol. It’s every guy’s dream to feel like they are an action hero and I… [Read More]

Carroll Shelby introduces new Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Center

The Shelby nameplate has changed the lives of countless automotive enthusiasts. Carroll Shelby is now taking the enchantment of the company he founded and passing it on to the young minds at Northeast Texas Community College. Recently, Shelby and the college announced the new Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Center, a program beginning this fall that will give students access to state-of-the-art technology and invaluable instruction that will teach them skills in automotive and body repair.

“I want to help young people improve their lives through the industry that has been so good to me,” said Mr. Shelby. “By giving them valuable new skills, they can be proud, productive members of society.”

Perks in the new facilities include a climate controlled shop area, lifts, a paint booth, three classrooms with roll-up doors for car entrance. Of course, students will be given top notch instruction, but nothing will prove more valuable than the experience they gain from building an automobile in the facilities during their final semester.

After the vehicles are built, Carroll himself will autograph them and sell them, giving all proceeds back to the program… [Read More]

Promise from Porter: Second Annual Great American Run will top the first

Last year’s first annual Great American Run defied the boundaries of American car outings—the rally began in New York and ended in Las Angeles, making numerous exotic pit stops in between. It was thought that the event could never be replicated, and if so, could never be topped.

Cannonball Run organizer Tim “Maverick” Porter is topping it this year.

The prize has been bumped from an $80k Bad Boy Mustang to a $100,000 minimum prize, with possibility of $1,000,000 depending on the number of entrants.

This year’s Great American Run will begin at the oasis of American ingenuity—the Playboy Mansion in California. Hosted by plenty of Playmates including Hef’s girlfriends Bridget, Holly and Kendra from the hit TV show “The Girls Next Store” and featuring a performance by Grammy-winning hip-hop superstar Ludacris, the first VIP party will be sure to settle in any first-timers who aren’t sure what to… [Read More]

2008 Dan Gurney Signature Edition Saleens arrive at dealerships

The battle has begun. The folks at Saleen wanted to reignite the rivalry between two American motorsports legends, and they got it.

This week, the 2008 Dan Gurney Signature Edition Saleen hit select dealers nationwide. Only 300 are being produced—that’s 100 in each color (Torch Red, Performance White, and the feature color Vista Blue).

The car is loaded with aftermarket goodies—specially tuned Racecraft suspension, Generation-II Watts-Link Rear End, 19” wheels fitted with Pirelli Corsas, short throw shifter, 3.73 Max Grip rear axle and Saleen’s 465hp supercharged beast beneath the hood. Add to all of that plenty of race-inspired graphics and logos run throughout the vehicle.

True race gurus would note that Dan Gurney’s old racer was no Mustang, but in fact …[Read More]

Bold Moves: Ford to release race-ready 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang

Ford has never had any trouble building its legacy and evoking the nostalgic whims of Mustang enthusiasts. And their latest move has racing fans on their feet.

The classic 1968 Cobra Jet Mustang left a lasting legacy—one that the folks at the blue oval feel the S197’s chassis can carry on forty years later as a “true A Stock competitor.” Ford has announced it is developing a factory-built NHRA-legal race car this summer—the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang.

Full disclosure is yet to come from Dearborn, but the company has leaked a few exciting tidbits regarding the project they’re calling the FR00CJ… [Read More]

16-year old wins Ford Mustang GT-R in contest from eBay Motors and makers of “GRID”

It’s rare for youngsters to land the car of their dreams at 16 years old. But hey, that’s what racing video games are for, right?

Well, with practice, a little video game expertise can go a long way. It certainly did for one Timothy Blount from Gretna Louisiana. Several weeks ago, eBay Motors and the creators of the latest racing game “GRID” began an online competition to see who had the fastest skills in the game.

It turned out, Blount had the quickest lap time, at 1:40:32.

But the prize for the winning time was far superior to the normal induction to a virtual hall of fame list. No, instead, 16-year old Blount walked away with a 445 horsepower Ford Mustang GT-R, the model that’s replicated in GRID as… [Read More]

Ford Mustang in NASCAR 2009: Rumors continue to flow…

A rumor has been milling around the boards for awhile (since December) that the allure of NASCAR may soon be heightened by the introduction of the Ford Mustang as one of its official cars. Rumors can be vicious, but so far, they look promising.

I thought I’d compile as many leaks regarding this development and continue to update as we receive more information.

Enthusiasts have ached for Big 3 sports car (not Taurus or Grand Prix) platforms in popular racing ever since the original Grand Am Series, which left the scene in 1985. According to a source last December from within Ford Motor Company, the motorsports division does expect the Fusion to be replaced by the Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Nationwide (formerly Busch) Series next year.

“We’re expecting to run the Mustang in 2009,” the source told an Orlando Sentinel blog.

The potential difference between future Nationwide series and Nextel Cup series platforms seems stark,… [Read More]