Following the launch of the Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT350R, the American firm in partnership with mother company Ford has created a racing version of the new pony car. The Shelby GT350R-C is prepared to compete in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.
Making its track debut this weekend at Watkins Glen, Shelby GT350R-C is powered by Ford’s all-new 5.2-liter flat-plane crankshaft V8 which makes 520 horsepower in the road-going model. It will be interesting to see how this unit performs under the touch circumstances that are part of any motorsport environment. It will be a real test of performance and durability for the engine and can potentially improve its street cred.
Besides the engine, Shelby GT350R-C also benefits from similar suspension setup to the road car, albeit with some modifications including revised spring rates and antiroll bars, lower ride height, unique track-tuned alignment settings, revised bushings and cross-axis ball joints in the front. These are necessary changes if you want to use a muscle car on the race track.
The GT350R-C race car will be managed by Ford partner Multimatic Motorsports. They have appointed Billy Johnson, Scott Maxwell, Austin Cindric as the drivers of the ‘Stang for its racing debut at Watkins Glen.
