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Ford has more wins, championships and records than any other manufacturer in the world. For over 100 years
none have been more successful. October 10, 1901 marks Henry Ford's first win. Launching his company, only to sell it soon
after for profit. A new car, 999 had another win and soon after he established Ford Motor Company. In June 1907 a Ford Model
K won the first 24 hour "stock" car race. Model T's were being stripped down and raced, hotrodding is born. Even
the Chevrolet brothers were successful building winning Ford powered race cars. 1932 brought the flathead V8 and domination
by Ford. NASCAR was formed in 1949, Ford lead the premier series in wins for 55 years, with names like Jarrett, Lund, Lorensen,
Gurney, Petty, Elliott, Allison, Kulwicki, Rudd, Martin, Kenseth and Busch. In 1952 and 53 Lincolns ruled the stock car division
of Carrera Panamericana.
The 60's were ruled by Ford, and no stone was left unturned. Before it was over they owned road
racing, Indy, NASCAR, Trans Am, Grand Prix (now F1) and title of fastest production vehicle (427 Cobra held this for so many
years until 1992). Carroll Shelby built his first Shelby American "Powered by Ford" Cobra (sold in Ford dealerships)
in 62. They soon dominated sports car racing at home and abroad. Not only taking U.S Manufacturer's Championship for 63, 64,
65, add 65 World Manufacturer's FIA Championship for a topper. Carroll then went on to head up Ford's road racing endeavers,
again finding victory over all competition. Ford won LeMans 4 times and in 68 the FIA World Championship. In June 1967 a Ford
Mark IV completed 3252 LeMans miles, not even the recent Audi R8 has topped this feat. Mario Andretti had 3 USAC Champ car
titles with Fords in the 60's. Ford Cosworth engines won 154 Grand Prix races, powered 12 World Champion drivers, 10 Constructor's
World Championships and continued winning F1 races for over 17 years. Gas Ronda took the 1964 Top Stock Eliminator Championship
with a 427 Thunderbolt. Mustang has Trans Am Championships in 66, 67 and 70 (and more since then). Bob Glidden won the 1973
U.S. Nationals in Pro Stock. He then went on to Ford power his way to 10 NHRA Pro Stock World Championships and 85 national
event wins. From 73 to the 80's Escorts won 21 World Championship Rallys. Also for Escort 8 straight British Rally Championships.
In 82 the Mustang GT was back and soon FiveOhs ruled the streets of our land. The car was so popular that it spawned sanctioning
bodies devoted solely to it. There were other reasons for these new bodies; end typical rules bias and more exciting racing.
The competition is fierce and E.T.'s have fallen to under 6.37 sec. 2003 Mustang stood alone as victor over the Poneycar Era,
and for an exclamation point the Terminator was available for public consumption! And later the 2008 Super Snake w/even more
power; 725HP! Dave Blaney even scorched the WOO in the 90's with Ford power. Ford trucks win in SCORE on a regular basis.
-------- This article is but an overveiw of a deep and rich history by one manufacturer. Checkered Past Racecraft hopes to
contribute to this history.
Currently Mustang leads performance aftermarket sales at $800 million.The 2005 Ford Mustang
wins Grand Am Cup Manufacturers Championship in it's first season! And then 08 &09 also. John Calvert's 2008 Mustang Cobra
Jet wins AA Stock Eliminator at 2009 Winternationals. November 15, 2009 Mike Neff's all Ford funny car takes his first win.
Ford started hot rodding and still leading!
2010 EVENTS (Anno Domini)
Aug 27-29 SAAC 35 Sonoma CA Sep 4 All Ford Picnic Sandy Lake Park Carrollton 10-3PM
Sep 10-11 Continental Tire Miller Motorsports Park Tooele, UT Oct
1-3 Mustang Fest Mustang Island, Port Aransas, TX Oct 6-9 Texas Shelby 350 SCAT Motorsport Ranch,
Cresson, TX
Oct 9 Bonnie & Clyde Days Car Show & More 9AM-... Pilot Point, TX
Nov 13 Pistons & Paint Car Show Noon-6PM North Texas Fairgrounds, Denton, TX
Dec 25 Merry Christmas Put a Ford in your Ford!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Ford
GT
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41 Ford Fire Truck, City of Coppell
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Daytona Coupe replica
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Trans
Am Mustang
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41 Ford Fire Truck, City of Coppell
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Cobra
at car show
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Daytona Coupe
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Pantera
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