Salt Flat Siblings: Mickey Thompson's 1969 Mach 1 and the FR500C his son Danny raced in 2008
During the week of August 19-22, a team of thrill seekers ventured out to the Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway to break a land speed record. Forty years after Mickey Thompson set nearly 300 speed and endurance records in a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 to support Ford Division's launch of that now-famous model, Danny Thompson, Mickey's son, was set to repeat history in a 2008 E85 powered FR500C Ford Mustang. The FR500C was equipped with a 5.4L Ford GT block, heads and various performance parts from Ford Racing.
Brent Hajek was the mastermind and financier of this project. Mr. Hajek is a race car owner, driver and racing enthusiast. He also has a large collection of vintage race cars housed in the Hajek Motorsports Museum in Oklahoma.
Mickey Matus, Ford Performance Group Manager, was called in to kick off the project. Ford Motor Company supported the endeavor with parts, test facilities and engineering. Ford Racing contributed by having Dev Saberwal, Calibration Engineer, provide on-site support in Utah and handle much of the dynamometer testing in preparation for the event. Ford Racing's Larry Ferrin also assisted behind the scenes to keep the project moving.
While the Mustang's powertrain had undergone significant testing and development on the chassis dyno, the FR500C had not turned a wheel under its own power prior to the run at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Results from the dynamometer indicated that the FR500C was capable of producing over 1,100 horsepower. It wasn't until the actual run at Bonneville that a driver sat behind the wheel.
The trick to capturing any new land speed record is being able to repeat the record time. Therein lies the challenge. The Ford Mustang was able to hit a top speed of 251.741 MPH once, but was not able to repeat the feat.
Although the goal of breaking the record was not achieved this time around, Ford Racing is proud to have had the opportunity to support the project. And the car is scheduled to return to the salt later this year!
Ford Racing Parts Used:
- M-6010-GT** ALUMINUM 5.4L BLOCK
- M-6049-GT FORD GT RH CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY
- M-6099-GT FORD GT LH CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY
- M-6582-C SVT BLUE COATED VALVE COVERS
- M-6067-A FORD RACING COIL COVERS
- M-8005-R MUSTANG FR500C RADIATOR
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