Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 enjoys Bathurst success ahead of local sales launch

By Matt Brogan | March 05th, 2010

You might recall the name Performax International from CarAdvice’s review last month of the Chevrolet Camaro SS. The Queensland-based group import a number of US Muscle Cars for right-hand drive conversion, including the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, which last month took part in the Bathurst 12 Hour event at Mount Panorama.

Performax said the event proved just how much potential the newly-built and un-tested Mustang had, displaying what is certain to be a promising future in targa-style rallies.

Driven by Marcus Zukanovic of Melbourne-based race team Action Racing and V8 Supercar regular Jason Bright and LeMans sports car ace Allan Simonsen, the Mustang was virtually the same specification as the road-going model sold by Performax International, with only safety-related upgrades to suspension and brakes made for the event.

“The Mustang showed an extreme amount of potential at Bathurst,” said Zukanovic, who has raced V8 Supercars, V8 Utes and Commodore Cup cars during a successful competition career.

“We had no time to track-test before going to Mount Panorama and consequently encountered a handful of teething problems with things like the fuel supply, clutch and non-standard brakes, but despite that it was quick, strong and hugely popular with the spectators.

“Now we’re going to look at what other events it is eligible and suitable for. We’ll also do some more development before going back to Bathurst next year.”

The new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, a direct descendant of the original legendary muscle car created by Carroll Shelby, features a supercharged 5.4-litre aluminium V8 engine developing 374kW of power and 650Nm of torque. The car rides on Ford SVT (Special Vehicle Tuning) suspension and Italian Brembo brakes.

Performax International currently is completing right-hand drive re-engineering of its first 2010 version. The road-going model will be available for sale shortly and is available new from $150,000* with a fully backed factory warranty.

My Cars Called T-Rex

This car probobly was the best sounding car on the mountian.
greenroom

the shelby looks the part, hope it has a great year, i’d like to see it do well on the mountain.
Ben

testimant to fords enginering. All you hear bout is how mustangs dont handle and that the 5.4 Boss V8′s(even tho its alluminium in the GT500) dont rev and what happens here? It wins the 24hr bathurst. Wouldve been the best sounding car on the montain by far XD

Muse

Yeah, should silence the ‘live axle sucks’ brigade…! Go Mustang!

Will

The Mustang came twenty seventh outright, four places behind a Yaris, seven places behind a Corolla, and eleven places behind a Clio. LOL.

ABMPSV

Yes! 27th and this is a Bathurst success!!!! LOL!!!!!!!
My Cars Called T-Rex

It still beat a heap of Evo X’s a lotus and a BMW who DNF.Whats wrong with the VW group and Bathurst 12hr,there’s never been any car from them in it,must be dodgey or to slow.

UMWAHT

i mean, is it that hard to make a car handle at least decently?
Shak

If mustang is such a big deal for Ford, why dont they spend some decent money on it a give it proper suspension. I mean c’mon a povo pack family taxi XT Flacon has better suspension than this thing.

ABMPSV

Profit that is why. It will cost more money. No wonder even Yaris beat the Mustang.
isamike

If mustang is such a big deal for Ford, why dont they spend some time and convert it to RHD and bring it out in Australia for a reasonable price.

Stevo the Devo

The original Mustang was based on the Falcon. If Ford US had the brains they’d base their RWD platform on our Falcon. Could save heaps on development and have the 2 cars available – 2 doors = Mustang, 4 doors = Falcon. Would be a winner on both sides of the Pacific.

Bink

No thanks Stevo, the Ford and Holden stuff is pretty damn good, but Camaro went that route and in case nobody hasn’t noticed, due to a GM induced wobble in the north western hemispere, the rotational speed of the earth has slowed just a little bit more.

The 2007-2010 GT500 Mustang with its iron block 5.4 is just 18 kg heavier comapred to the 2010 Camaro (with compact OHV all aluminum V8 in manual trans trim), the automatic equipped Camaro is nearly on par with the same GT500, Ford switched to an aluminum block for the 2011 GT500 and it is now lighter than both versions of the Camaro.

As good as the Falcon is, the current regulatory environment in the US precludes its use unless Ford AU were to develop a Falcon that could be used on a sub 1600 kg 2dr entry level performance car (Mustang GT). Thats where Mustang development is headed for MY2014