Well did I have fun last night or what? The regional awards
dinner for the SCCA was held and the guest speaker, an old
central KY SCCA'er that went to Detroit to build cars for FORD,
was Tom Reichenbach. He is the vehicle engineering manager
for the FORD GT program. The video that he presented was
very interesting and informative.

Tom gave us the "design" criteria that the GT was imposed
with and if my memory serves me, it was to beat the Ferrari
360, beat the Viper straight-line, and be exclusive enough so
there isn't one on every corner. They are proposing to build
about 600 a year?

When Bill Ford stepped outta the first mule (Painted at home
by the team in original GT-40 schema!) he was grinning ear to
ear.

The team FORD assembled came primarily from the racing
teams, and they were used to building cars in 9 months. Since
Bill gave the challenge to have the car ready for the centennial
this year they had their work cut out for them.

This info might have been speculated elsewhere, but talking to the
actual guy that builds the vehicle is very re-assuring. It didn't hurt
that the fella asking the questions was "FORD FANATIC #1"
acccording to all the SCCA members present. When I asked
Tom about the "rumor" that the GT engine was going to be the
base design fo rhte Lightning going forward, he said "I can't
comment, but that's a very 'good' rumor ..."

The engine is a redesigned all aluminum block with modified 4
valve heads based on the Cobra "R" heads. It has dual fuel
injectors and a scaveging oil collection system to minimize the
mounting height of the engine. Total Aluminum frame and skin
with some carbon fiber pieces to save weight and make the tight
forming bends easier.

One of the best things that Tom said was that FORD business
analyst finally realized that there was a market for exclusively
built race type cars, and even though in the past they had squashed
programs weeks from going to production (He mention several
I think one was a "GN .. " something or other ...) this time with
upper management's support, the team was set free.

They produced the first mule in 47 days from the time the parts
hit the plant. That he said, was a first ... they normally took
6 - 18 months ...

One anecdotal story he told was of the day that he wanted to
"borrow" a truck to haul some wallboard from Lowe's. John
Coletti told him to take the "Lightning" and told him "You aren't
gonna believe this truck!" ... Well, Tom said last night, that driving
the lightning was like nothing he had ever driven before. He was
national champion for several years in the SCCA runnoffs,
driving a Fiat ... And many miles on road courses. I thought
that was way cooo ...

That's all I can remember right now...

Have a great day!!!

Cliff

 

Sounds interesting.....wish I could have been there!

 

Man I would have loved to hear those stories, especially the Lightning one.
I think the main reason I wanted to be there was to eat, then I wouldn't fell so bad this morning

 

Forgot one of the best parts ... The GT has to run 500 miles
at V Max (205 mph) to hit the design criteria. That test is taking
place as we type in Italy ...

This is great news for our trucks, doncha think?

I'm gonna see if I can get a copy of the video ...

 

Got the digital out this morning ... Ain't much, but I did beat
all those cars with the truck ... <grin>

PS... we only have about 325 members in the SCCA here
as opossed to the 2000 that places like Detroit have, so it
is a little bit easier ...

 

Cool and congrats

 

I wish any of the clubs around me were actual SCCA groups, heh. They all just run SCCA rules but are private groups.

The one group down by E-Town is SCCA, but to hit their races at 8am all the time for me is not easy. Ugh.

Daniel

 

Daniel,

I am thinking and planning to get my license at
Mid Ohio this year ... Hope we can meet up sometime ...
Would love to see the setup on your truck.

Cliff