Instead of renting tracks for days (or weeks), in what may be another sign of corporate responsibility, we ran into a handful of Ford engineers at the 1.88-mile GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan, last night during the $60/person evening run-whatcha-brung event with plenty of 2011 Mustang prototypes in tow.

One particularly saucy mule was wearing sticky Pirelli P Zero Corsa r-compound tires (yes, the same rubber found on fire breathers such as the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, among other supercars), which leads us to believe the ’11 GT will come with an even more potent Track Pack than the current car’s which employs Pirelli P Zero tires. Engineers were also tweaking the car’s adjustable shocks, but those may have been employed simply for development purposes. We put in a request with the engineers for more brakes, too, as the ones on the 2010 Track Pack get overheated quickly during a race-track lapping session.

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If you're in the market for a new Shelby Mustang, there's a good chance it will have a supercharger under the hood. But now, Shelby is mixing things up with a new turbo package for the 2005 to 2009 Mustang for those looking for a different type of forced induction.

"Though we've offered supercharged packages for vehicles for several years, many enthusiasts longed for a turbo option because of the different driving characteristics offered with this type of force induction," said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Autos. "The Shelby Turbo was created to fulfill that need."

To build it, Shelby teamed up with California-based Turbonetics for a turbocharger embossed with the Shelby name and Michigan-based Mustang Racing Technologies to create the kit. The result is an impressive 550 hp that's 50-state legal. The kit also includes Shelby's Baer brake system, Borla exhaust, a short-throw shifter, suspension upgrades, new wheels, a new hood and grille, and new interior pieces including a gauge pod, floor mats, and an official plaque.
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Since its victorious introduction at the NHRA Winternationals in 1968, Ford’s Cobra Jet Mustang has created a legacy of power, performance and triumph.

The 40th Anniversary 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang lived up to the legend of the original, duplicating the NHRA Winternationals victory in 2009 and dominating drag strips across the land.

Today, Ford Racing unveiled the 2010 Cobra Jet Mustang at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, which marks the continued evolution of the CJ as a factory-produced turnkey race car. In honor of the SEMA introduction, Ford Racing built and unveiled a one-of-a-kind “SEMA Special” silver Cobra Jet complete with a charcoal Cobra Jet graphics package. “The 2008 Cobra Jet was a great car, it did everything we wanted it to do,” said Brian Wolfe, director, Ford North American Motorsports. “We’re really proud of the car, but then again we’re always trying to make the next one better.

“With the 2010 Cobra Jet, we had the luxury of a longer development cycle and the result is absolutely stunning. Where the 2008 Cobra Jet was an extremely potent starting point for NHRA Stock competition, the 2010 will enhance the car further. We are all excited to see the new Cobra Jet in competition.”
(Read more here.)