[Cobra #3170]

The 2009 Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge will be shown
again this Friday 10/22/2010 for those of you who might have missed it last year. It will be on Speed TV at 9:00 PM EDT and 6:00 PM PDT. This showing is an effort to create interest in this years Optima, scheduled to be run at Spring Mountain Motor sports Park on Saturday the 6th of November.

This years Challenge has some very specific changes to the rules:
- The Cobra will not be allowed to compete unless it runs exhibition
- No ringer drivers will be allowed
- Those wonderfully sticky Hoosier A6's are no longer legal

I will be driving my Ford GT this year; it will be tough because I am better behind a wrench than behind the wheel. The GT also weighs 1000 lbs more than the Cobra and has 150 less horsepower.

The GT has the following modifications to improve its performance.
- Pulley and Tune (about all these tires can handle)
- 7200 rpm limit
- Ford Racing Short Shifter
- Penske shocks
- Higher rate springs
- 91/2x19 F and 12x19 R wheels
- 265x35x19 and 345x30x19 Michelin PS2s
- modified front splitter, new adjustable rear spoiler
- modified suspension geometry to eliminate roll under steer
- increased static camber
- lowered 2" with a .75" rake angle
- side skirts to develop more down force
- increased static camber

I hope things go well because there are only a few Ford powered entries.
On a positive note I checked my GT from 0-100-0 and it did it in 11.2 in less than 1000 feet. The increased down force has really helped reduce braking distance.