Editor Pete Epple of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Ford
learning one-on-one from Kenny Brown about
the finesse of on-track driving.

Over the years SCMC (SVT Cobra Mustang Club) track events have been some of our favorites and we really enjoyed being part of their 10th Anniversary at VIR (Virginia International Raceway) in May.  I think what makes the SCMC club a little different and a favorite of mine is they are a Mustang Club that focuses quite a bit on Track Events.

They are going to be at Gingerman (Michigan) in September and VIR (Virginia International Raceway) again in October for a BIG track extravaganza.  So check them out and get on track - http://www.svtcobraclub.com/mainpage.html

Because of a scheduling conflict we were unable to make the Friday full course day at VIR which was a little disappointing as I have never driven the full course.  None the less the weather was great for Saturday and Sunday on the North Course.  The North Course for those who haven't been to VIR is very busy, a long straight and lots of twisty bits to challenge both man and machine.

I was excited to drive the CSR-69 with my new GT-4 suspension, AGS 4.0 on track, as Paul (Brown) had done most of the testing to date.  AGS stands for Advanced Geometry Suspension and 4.0 is my latest in suspension evolution that dates all the way back to the AGS system on the 1987 Championship Saleen-R Mustang racecars.

The last time I drove VIR I was in "Kirmie" my green Mustang Cobra with my full AGS-IRS suspension package that humbled even the mightiest of foes on VIR's twisty North Course.  To my surprise (well maybe not) the CSR-69 with the new GT-4 suspension was every bit as quick.  Even with rusty old me at the helm, the combination of the GT-4 suspension and Pirelli P Zero Corsa System tires was unbelievable to drive - precise, confident, predictable and fast, very fast.

But it wasn't just me, Pete Epple of Muscle Mustangs was going very quick in the CSR-69 as well.  I think Pete is either the fourth or fifth editor from Muscle Mustangs I have trained in track driving and shown "The Dark Side" - that is - that track driving is a lot more fun then drag racing.  What's that old saying - road racers last longer then 12 seconds...

Anyway, Pete came to VIR as a pure novice with no track driving experience to speak of so he was a perfect candidate for the Kenny Brown Driving Experience.  I developed his initial curriculum based on his experience and with each on track session I showed him a little more and adjusted his program based on his progress.  Pete was a really good student, listened well and applied the skills I was teaching him.

Look at the CSR-69's Front Air Dam "Smiling"
from all the down force Editor Pete Epple
from MMFF is applying to it.

By the second day Pete was one of the quickest on track.  In the second session on Sunday, Pete was solo in the CSR-69 and on his out-lap yielded to a very quick Z06 Corvette only to find out the Vette was holding him up in the twisty bits.  The Vette finally pointed Pete by and I'm sure was perplexed to find it took the entire straightaway for Pete to execute the pass.  The CSR-69 only has a stock 4.6 motor with cold-air kit and headers verses the Z06's big time power and torque.  Once Pete got by it was see-ya! Pete would get a pretty good lead around the back side to which the Vette with all its power could not over come on the straight.

***NOTE:  Yet another gleaming example that true speed on track comes from a good chassis and suspension rather than big horsepower.