I was shooting a story for the TV show "The Spot" and for "Overdrive" a couple of months ago, we were featuring the Roush Team and the new Roush Mustang, while undergoing testing and tuning at Sebring. In addition there was a new Ford GT supercar there as well. (which I rode in at break neck speeds...awesome!) and assorted Roush owners with their cars were there as well.
After chatting with the engineers from Roush I mentioned how I'm a wannabe racer and have a puny SVT Focus. They said "did you bring it?" I said "yes." They said "well, get out there!"
I had a blast!!! I had the chance to take as many laps as I wanted out there, with just a few cars on the course. To my astonishment, the little Focus held its own, and was quite easy to drive fast. It was great wringing it our and not having to worry about speed limits!
The Roush guys later told me that they were shocked that the naturally aspirated 'stangs couldn't easily overtake the SVTF in the short straight. The supercharged cars had a bit less trouble though.
It was so much fun, I couldn't belive I was getting paid to do what I was doing!!
I can't wait for the next chance to get out there again. BTW, the story already aired on WFLA TV, but the "Overdrive" version should air sometime this month, details pending.

 

Sounds like a lot of fun!

 

The brakes seemed fine.
I probably did about 15-25 laps, not as many as most cars out there that were running all day. I had to shoot video and so I wasn't planning on racing anyway.
When they told me to get out there , I just jumped in my car, put on my helmet and went out there with street tire pressures and original brakes on my 40K mile car. My tires were fairly new with only 3K on them, so they hooked up fine.

The brakes felt fine and I never felt any fade or pulsation at all. I started off easy my first lap or two, but after that it was balls out. I was coming down Gurnery Bend doing about 115mph and was hard into the brakes up till the hairpin.

track map here: http://www.sebringraceway.com/track.html

That's when I would have expected to see some signs of brake trouble. But the little SVTF did fine. The Mustangs being heavier were on the brake alot sooner, by the time they exited the hairpin I was heading down the Fangio Chicane, of course they caught up to me in no time flat, but by then it was time for another turn.

 

Sounds like fun. 115 into the safetypin and no brake fade on oem pads.... not bad.

You should come to a upcoming chinmotorsport event. Is the segment online anywhere?

 

I'm going to Sebring with Chin Motorsports on July 30th. Can't wait!

 

No, I wish it was. The story I shot and edited for WFLA's "The Spot" already aired but will be repeated I'm sure. When and if it does I'll let you know.
However, the video I shot for my fledgling little show, OverDrive has not yet hit the air.
Included in the future episode is my ride along around Sebring in a new Ford GT piloted by one of Team Roush's drivers. It was amazing and will be featured on the show. Details pending.

 

man that is like a dream of mine come true

i think i saw your car on overboost ... was it taped for how to wash a car?

also some footage for one of the spot episodes was taped by my house

 

awesome! im envious@!

 

I'll be at the August 28th event. First event in over 2 years.