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.
This car probobly was the best sounding car on the mountian.
the shelby looks the part, hope it has a great year, i’d like to see it do well on the mountain.
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
Yeah, should silence the ‘live axle sucks’ brigade…! Go Mustang!
The Mustang came twenty seventh outright, four places behind a Yaris, seven places behind a Corolla, and eleven places behind a Clio. LOL.
Yes! 27th and this is a Bathurst success!!!! LOL!!!!!!!
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.
i mean, is it that hard to make a car handle at least decently?
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.
Profit that is why. It will cost more money. No wonder even Yaris beat the Mustang.
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.
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.
Did anyone notice this isn’t the new mustang.