Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products

[Bruce Noland]

I think they have been doing that for a few years now.

[FS Fan]

I have been following this post and the decline in Ford's on-track performance. I was waiting to post in hopes of seeing something this weekend, but again no, another race without a Ford even the SHowdown semi's. Not one final appearance this year for Ford. So as an open forum I have a few questions too.

What is Ford's plan for improving results in NHRA, particularly Factory Showdown?

Why are the specs so vague on the 2018 Cobra Jet they announced and will it get Ford back competitive?
For $130K you'd be involved in every decision at a race shop but the released specs on this car tell very little and ask racers to sign up for a big invoice without even seeing a running car. Or maybe it's not intended to go NHRA racing, if so will there be a program for racers to build cars easily?

WHen will the 2018 CJ's be out? The internet says 2019 Mustang street cars are being built already. I've heard race teams were told last summer that the Cobra Jet would be out last year, now I guess it's spring of next year?

If the 2018 will be competitive for Factory Showdown why aren't the specs in the NHRA guide? It was announced mid April, they've had 90 days to be in the guide. Had they worked with the teams they could have had the latest and greatest for the last 3 races.

Is there a long term plan or commitment to the racers for CJ support? Copo kicks out a car every year, Ford's will have been out of the game for 3 years by the time a 2018 comes out. Will it be another 3 years before another car is released? If there's no plan for continued success then why would racers invest?

What is Ford doing for the other classes beside SHowdown? I see a Focus RS went in the guide in the last year, seems an odd choice.
Why isn't the Boss 302 from 2012/2013 in the guide at 15% off the rated HP?
Why isn't the 2015-present Mustang GT in the guide? as far as I know they still sell parts for these cars so why would Ford not want to sell more parts?

WHere are the performance parts for street cars? I owned a 2015 Mustang and bought bolt ons from everyone else long before Ford had their kits out. I sent an email to Henry Ford III about it and he forwarded to the main guy at parts who told me the 2018 Mustang would have parts at launch. 2018 Mustang came out 8 months ago and Ford doesn't have a tune or cold air kit. I see there are some Ford distributors on this thread, I imagine you're very frustrated seeing the competition beat Ford to market with parts on their own car.

As a fan of the class and Ford it's frustrating to see their failure to compete over the last few seasons. WIll they fix their program, do just enough to pacify the detractors, or do nothing? If there is a public response from Ford to this thread I'd like to see it.

[JHeath]

Chuck Watson was the quickest FSS car with an 8.075 in Norwalk, lost on a holeshot in Rd 2. Dodge has really stepped up, and Ford needs to do the same !

[troublemaker427]

Originally Posted by JHeath

Chuck Watson was the quickest FSS car with an 8.075 in Norwalk, lost on a holeshot in Rd 2. Dodge has really stepped up, and Ford needs to do the same !

Yup. the factory needs to step up!! Ford started this, don't leave your racers hang out to dry!!!!

I'm also waiting for Ford Performance to release the Power Pack for my 2018 Mustang GT!!!!!

[FS Fan]

Originally Posted by JHeath

Chuck Watson was the quickest FSS car with an 8.075 in Norwalk, lost on a holeshot in Rd 2. Dodge has really stepped up, and Ford needs to do the same !

That puts him a tenth and a half quicker than the next Ford (Tasca) which makes me wonder if there was a timing issue or something.

BTW- taking nothing away from the Watson team. They have consistently been the strongest Ford this season and they are the closest thing to a factory team. But that level of performance increase is odd. He was the slowest ET winner of round 1, and then is the fastest of the weekend in round 2.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by FS Fan

That puts him a tenth and a half quicker than the next Ford (Tasca) which makes me wonder if there was a timing issue or something.

BTW- taking nothing away from the Watson team. They have consistently been the strongest Ford this season and they are the closest thing to a factory team. But that level of performance increase is odd. He was the slowest ET winner of round 1, and then is the fastest of the weekend in round 2.

He had a strong Q2 run with the 2nd highest MPH at the 1/8 mile, so the performance is there.

The 60' was a tenth better in R2 than it was in R1, so I'm guessing the increase in 'performance' was more related to traction.

[JHeath]

Chris Holbrook has his new John Holt built CJ @ the paint shop.

[Superfan1]

Originally Posted by JHeath

Chris Holbrook has his new John Holt built CJ @ the paint shop.

That's what I've been waiting to hear! Anyone know anything about the CJ that Bo Butner is supposed to be getting?

[FS Fan]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

The 60' was a tenth better in R2 than it was in R1, so I'm guessing the increase in 'performance' was more related to traction.

You could be on to something. I've been told that the Ford 4-link in the 2016 is tricky compared to their older 3-link suspension that was supposedly more forgiving. I know there's more to getting down than the rear suspension but it sure seems to help.

[FS Fan]

Adding to my earlier questions...

some racers think NHRA will clamp down on the Showdown class and say "no more engine combos"

Wouldn't that make it more important to get a new 18 combo and the 5.4Lw/4.0L class legal ASAP just in case they close the book?