“How do you make a small fortune in racing?”
“Start with a large fortune.”
Auto racing is expensive on even an entry level. Getting competitive with others, many of whom inevitably have more money than you, is even costlier. But Ford Racing is there to help.
The most recent example of that is the introduction of the 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang at the Performance Racing Industry show in Orlando, Fla. Recent Ford Racing Cobra Jets have carved their own legacy at drag strips across the country, becoming the winningest late model in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) with national event wins in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
With more than three seasons of testing, racing and customer feedback behind it, the 2013 Cobra Jet is the latest evolution of the factory-produced turnkey race car. Designed for the NHRA Stock and Super Stock competition, the new model features the latest drag racing technology for greater speed and consistency. The Ford Racing folks are certainly proud of it.
“The 2008 Cobra Jet is a great car,” says George Goddu, business manager of the Ford Racing Performance Group. “It does everything we wanted it to do.”
A drag racer is all about the engine, and the 2013 Cobra Jet offers two 5.0-liter Ti-VCT engine options. You can choose a naturally aspirated engine with Cobra Jet induction system, CNC ported heads, high-lift cams and low-drag accessory drive or a 2.9-liter Whipple supercharged version with CNC port-matched manifold and heads, and a proprietary 10-rib supercharger drive system for high-rpm use without belt slip.
“The 5.0-liter has all the attributes to make a world-class drag racing engine and is ideal for the Cobra Jet,” says Goddu. “Both the naturally aspirated and supercharged engines will be competitive as delivered.”
Beyond the engine, the 2013 Cobra Jet chassis has been improved, largely by making it lighter. Lightweight body modifications give better weight distribution, and electric power steering provides better drivability without parasitic horsepower loss. A new roll cage design is optimized for safety and chassis rigidity while the brake pedal ratio has been revised for more modulation and stopping power. And the rear suspension geometry delivers faster and more consistent 60-foot times.
So, if you’re ready to race, bring some money. The 2013 Cobra Jet will have a suggested price of $86,000 with the naturally aspirated engine option and $93,000 with the supercharged engine.
