Steeda Shelby Mustangs Tackle the Autocross Cones
One’s a GT350R. The other’s a GT500. Both get a chance to run the parking-lot gauntlet, but only one was able to conquer the cones.
Shelby Mustangs are the top dogs of the track. All of that power, all of that performance, all laid down in a cloud of smoke and a blaze of glory. Woe be unto those who see any of the snakes cross their path on the quarter-mile, road course, or autocross.
Speaking of the autocross, what happens when two Shelbys throw down against each other in the parking-lot gauntlet? Chris Cervenka, e-commerce director at Steeda, recently set out to see who would come out on top between the GT350R and the GT500 at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, Georgia.
“We are at an SCCA autocross event,” said Cervenka. “We have a 2020 GT500 Carbon Fiber Track Package and a 2019 GT350R here at South Georgia Motorsports Park with the Dixie Region SCCA. With 760 horsepower in the GT500, and 526 in the 350R, it’s obvious that 760 is gonna really outweigh it on road course. However, here in the autocross track, it’s all about handling, and less about power.”
Both Shelbys each took their turn around the course, letting it all hang out with tons of sound and fury from their V8s. The best runs of the day for each was 49.8 seconds for the GT350R, 50.3 seconds for the GT500. How did the older snake beat the more powerful cobra?
“For the GT500, it’s got 760 horsepower,” said Cervenka. “Needless to say, you really can’t use all those horses here on the autocross course. The 350R, you can. Granted, 526 horsepower is a lot of power, but it’s a lot more usable here.”
The GT350R’s rev range, per Cervenka, goes to 8,250 rpm, with a shelf in its torque curve at 3,500 rpm. That range allows the older horse to outperform the big monster in such a setting as the autocross. The GT500, meanwhile, can’t do so well in such tight confines, needing the openness of a road course to fully realize its potential.
“Another thing to note is that both of these cars felt extremely composed,” said Cervenka, “given all of the crazy inputs that come with an autocross course. Ford Performance did say that that they put a revised MagneRide calibration on the GT500. Needless to say, it complements the extra weight — a couple of extra pounds — very well.”
Whichever one you prefer, though, the Shelby Mustangs are the ticket to a fun time on the weekends.
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