“Bristol is an incredible facility and I’m sure all the Ford faithful will agree,” said Jeff Lacina, Marketing Director for the Fun Ford Weekend Series. “There are some outstanding Ford-powered vehicles in that part of the country, both old and new, and we can’t wait to see them thundering down the track and on display in the car show at Bristol.”

Visit Bristol’s Thunder Valley Dragway website for more information.

SCHEDULE

Friday:
Gates Open 10 AM
Tech Inspection 11 AM
Car Show Registration 10 AM
Car Show Judging TBD
Test & Tune 2-6 PM
Ford vs. The World (All Run) 6 PM

Saturday:
Gates Open 8 AM
Tech Inspection 8 AM
Car Show Registration 9 AM
Time Trials (2 per class) 9 AM
Car Show Judging 10 AM – 2 PM
1st Round Eliminations 12:30 PM
True Street Cruise 2 PM
Car Show Awards 4 PM

ENTRY FEES:
Friday Spectator $10.00
Saturday Spectator $20.00
Weekend Pass $25.00
Car Show (2-Day) $35.00
Car Corral $45.00
Swap Meet 10 x 20 $45.00
Swap Meet 20 x 20 $60.00
Swap Meet 20 x 40 $75.00
Test & Tune $30.00
Ford vs. the World (All Run) $30.00
T&T and Ford vs. the World $50.00
Fast Ford $50.00
Quick Ford $40.00
Street Ford $20.00
True Street $25.00
Mustang Street Fight Class $20.00
5.90 Index $30.00
Tuff Truck $15.00

RACE CLASSES & PURSES

Ford vs. World: (Fri.)
Winner – $1,000
R/U – $450
Semi – $100
Quarters – $30
1st Round Buy-Back – $20

Fast Ford (Electronics) (Sat.)
Winner – $1,500
R/U – $600
Semi – $225
Quarters – $100
3rd Round Winners – $30
1st Round Buy-Backs – $30

Quick Ford (Non-Electronics) (Sat.)
(Transbrakes are NOT allowed)
Winner – $1,000
R/U – $300
Semi – $100
Quarters – $30
3rd Round Winners – $25
1st Round Buy-Back – $20

Street Ford (1/4 mile)(Sat.)
(Transbrakes are NOT allowed)
Winner – $200
R/U – $80
Semi – $30
1st Round Buy-Back – $15

True Street: (Sat.)
Overall Winner – $100
Trophy – each class winner
Classes: 9sec – 15sec.

5.90 Index (1/8th Mile)
Winner – $500
R/U – $250
Semi – $100
Quarters – $25
1st Round Buy-Back – $15

Mustang Street Fight: (Sat.)
Trophies for:
Quickest ET
Best Reaction Time
Best Appearing

Special Feature: Aeromotive Cobra Jet Challenge
Trophies for:
Winner
R/U

All-FoMoCo Car Show Classes*
Falcon/Comet
Fairlane/Galaxie
Talladega
Lincoln/Continental
Thunderbird
Shelby
Cobra
Mustang 1964-1973
Mustang 1974-1993
Mustang 1994-2004
Mustang 2005-present
Classic Ford all to 1939
Classic Ford all 1940-1960
Muscle Car 1960-1973
Late Model 1974-79
Non Mustang 1980-2012
Truck/Wagon/SUV
Special Interest
Race Car

Specialty awards for:
Largest club participation
Long haul award
Best engine
Best paint
Best interior
Peoples choice

*NOTE: All classes will have stock and modified awards except Race Car
3 changes allowed for stock classes (assembly line)
Aftermarket dealer cars are modified
Clones or tributes are modified

As a sponsor of the Super Chevy Shows, RockAuto was pleased with their experience. “The organizers followed through on their commitments and were easy to work with,” said Tom Taylor, Vice President of RockAuto. “The good experience with them and equal interest in both Chevy and Ford fans, lead us to try the Fun Ford Weekend Series. By supporting events car enthusiasts enjoy, we hope attendees and participants will become more familiar with the RockAuto name and think of us when they need parts down the road.”

RockAuto.com has a huge online selection of auto and body part conveniently offered in an easy-to-use online catalog. “Twenty-four hours a day, people can go to RockAuto.com to research and buy parts with the brands, specifications and prices that best meet their needs,” explained Taylor. “Prices are low across the board and there are no special markups on parts for classics or simply old cars. RockAuto helps keep both daily driver maintenance and show car restoration possible and affordable.”

RockAuto, LLC was founded in Madison, Wisconsin in 1999 by the Taylor family. Their engineering background, passion for old cars, and desire to liberate information hidden behind the auto parts store counter led the Taylors to start RockAuto. “We enjoy helping people keep their vehicles on the road and enjoy sponsoring fun car events like these,” said Taylor.

About RockAuto
Today, RockAuto ships thousands of auto parts from over 200 manufacturers to customers on every continent except Antarctica-including APO/FPO addresses. The RockAuto catalog is updated daily with mechanical parts like brake pads and shock absorbers, body parts like bumpers and mirrors, interior trim like door handles and carpets, and major assemblies like steering gears, CV axles, engine long blocks, and complete transmissions.

Another company that is expanding adding the Fun Ford Weekend Series is the free online classified service, RacingJunk.com.

“We found the Super Chevy Shows a great opportunity to present our brand directly to the grassroots racers and their fans,” explained Rob Adams, Marketing Manager at RacingJunk.com. “We enjoyed working with the owners and event staff and saw the value of adding the Fun Ford Weekend events as a way to extend our reach with Ford racers and fans.”

RacingJunk.com is the largest online marketplace for performance enthusiasts. “With more than 2.8 million monthly visitors, we offer the Fun Ford Weekend participants a ready marketplace for them to buy, sell and trade the items that fuel their passion,” said Adams. “RacingJunk.com is a FREE classifieds website for them to use to buy, sell and trade everything from cars to engines, from trailers to engine parts and everything in between.”

According to Adams, RacingJunk.com was essentially “built” by the grassroots racers and their teams. “We grew immensely for the first many years based only on the word-of-mouth of the grassroots racers,” explained Adams. “We didn’t have advertising or sponsorship to get the word out. Now that we’ve grown, we enjoy giving back to these racers in different ways, including sponsoring events like Fun Ford Weekends and Super Chevy Shows.”

About RacingJunk.com
RacingJunk.com, the largest online motorsports marketplace, is the leading community for automotive and performance enthusiasts and industry professionals throughout the world. Additionally, RacingJunk.com’s 520,000+ registered members represent the greatest cross section of racing enthusiasts and professionals on the Internet.

2012 Fun Ford Weekend Series Schedule
March 23-24, Royal Purple Raceway (Houston)
April 20-21, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas)
May 11-12, Rockingham Dragway (Rockingham, N.C.)
June 15-17, Virginia Motorsports Park (Petersburg, Va.)
June 22-23, Bandimere Speedway (Denver)
June 29-30, Bristol Dragway (Bristol, Tenn.)
August 10-12, Gateway Motorsports Park (St. Louis)
August 17-18, Maple Grove Raceway (Reading, Pa.)
September 2, Castrol Raceway (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
September 7-8, Texas Motorplex (Dallas)
September 14-15, Palm Beach Intl. Raceway (Palm Beach, Fla.)
September 28-29, Memphis Intl. Raceway (Memphis, Tenn.

“We’re very excited to have Aeromotive join both series as a sponsor,” says Jeff Lacina, Marketing Director of the Fun Ford Weekend Series. “Top to bottom, Aeromotive, their products, their dealers and of course, their customers are all about performance. We’re looking forward to helping Aeromotive and their dealers and distributors reach a whole new level of grassroots performance enthusiast as well as the high-horsepower and championship-winning race vehicles that their racer customers are known for building.”

“This is a unique opportunity for us,” said Jesse Powell of Aeromotive. “We are extremely excited to partner with both Fun Ford Weekends and Super Chevy Shows. Both have been such a staple in our industry, its great to be apart of their new direction. We hope that we can not only add to the draw for the participant and the fan but also take advantage of the opportunity to be side by side with our core consumer.”

The Aeromotive Cobra Jet Challenge

In addition to their Fun Ford Weekend and Super Chevy Show event sponsorship, Aeromotive will also be the sponsor of the Aeromotive Cobra Jet Challenge, a special class devoted to exciting, side-by-side racing of the new generation of Cobra Jet Mustangs produced by Ford Racing. Based upon their industry-leading technology and reliable products, Aeromotive is the OE supplier of the fuel systems for all Cobra Jet race cars produced since 2008.

“To be a part of a legend, the Ford Cobra Jet, is a truly something special. Writing your name in the history books is not something that most people get a chance at. For a manufacturer, its extremely rare,” Powell continued. “These are awesome cars and any chance we have to get these on the race track is a treat for the owners as well as the fans. We want to show our support to both Ford and to the owners of these vehicles by providing an opportunity to race.”

The inaugural Aeromotive Cobra Jet Challenge will be contested at the season-opening Fun Ford Weekend event at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas, March 23-24, followed by events at all of the 2012 Fun Ford Weekend Series events.

“Racers and spectators alike are in for an awesome show of Ford horsepower with the Aeromotive Cobra Jet Challenge,” said Lacina. “Right from Ford Racing, these are awesome race cars, but once the owners and race teams get a hold of them, they are amazingly fast race cars. There are some very colorful cars – and owners – in the Cobra Jet “family”. Thanks to Aeromotive and the owners of the Fun Ford Weekend Series, the Cobra Jet Challenge will be a highlight of the weekend for the racers and spectators.”

Complete rules for the 2012 Aeromotive Cobra Jet Challenge will be announced during the week of February 6 and available online at www.funfordweekend.com.

2012 Fun Ford Weekend Series Schedule
March 23-24, Royal Purple Raceway (Houston)
April 20-21, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas)
May 11-12, Rockingham Dragway (Rockingham, N.C.)
June 15-17, Virginia Motorsports Park (Petersburg, Va.)
June 22-23, Bandimere Speedway (Denver)
June 29-30, Bristol Dragway (Bristol, Tenn.)
August 10-12, Gateway Motorsports Park (St. Louis)
August 17-18, Maple Grove Raceway (Reading, Pa.)
September 2, Castrol Raceway (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
September 7-8, Texas Motorplex (Dallas)
September 14-15, Palm Beach Intl. Raceway (Palm Beach, Fla.)
September 28-29, Memphis Intl. Raceway (Memphis, Tenn.

About Aeromotive, Inc.
Aeromotive Inc. is a true, high performance aftermarket manufacturer specializing in fuel delivery and fuel delivery components. Utilizing aerospace tolerances and procedures, three generations of track experience and a meticulous approach to engineering, Aeromotive Fuel Systems have become the absolute pinnacle of performance fuel delivery.

For more information on Aeromotive Fuel Systems and their extensive line of components and the advantages they can provide, visit their web site at www.aeromotiveinc.com, or to speak with one of their highly-qualified technicians, call 913/647-7300.

About Fun Ford Weekend
The family-oriented Fun Ford Weekend series is run by each of the tracks that host the events. Each track creates its own event schedule, racing structure, car show, and if adequate space, will also have autocross competition. The goal of the series is to get as many automotive enthusiasts that have a passion for the Ford brand to participate, celebrate and enjoy the events. For more information on Fun Ford Weekend, visit www.funfordweekend.com.

“The Fun Ford Weekend will feature something for every Ford enthusiast,” said Steve Earwood, Owner of Rockingham Dragway. “Participants will get an all-Ford Motor Company car show while the drag racers will have a wide range of classes to choose from. We’ll also have a large swap meet area and the world’s fastest wheelstander, Danny O’Day’s and his ’34 Roadster roaring down The Rock quarter mile at speeds in excess of 150 mph.”

“With the remarkable popularity of the Mustang we anticipate a large turnout of the Mustang-faithful, whether participating in one of our numerous drag racing classes or car show classes,” added Earwood. “We will also highlight Mustangs in a special heads-up exhibition drag race.”

“We’re really looking forward to a fantastic Fun Ford Weekend at “The Rock”, said Jeff Lacina, Director of Marketing for the series. “The Ford fans in the Carolinas are as hardcore as you’ll find anywhere. There’s a lot of Ford history in the Carolinas and it’s a part of the country where brand loyalty runs deep. We can’t wait to meet today’s Ford-faithful racers, car show participants and spectators at The Rock.”

Rockingham Dragway: Fun Ford Weekend Program

Friday, May 11

2 PM: Gates Open for Vendor and Swap-Meet setup, Swap Meet Space, 20×20 – $40 (includes admission for one)

5-10 PM: Test and Tune

Everyone admitted on Friday must purchase a two-day pass: $25

Test and Tune open to all non-Ford vehicles and motorcycles: $25 vehicle & driver

Saturday, May 12

8 AM: Gates Open

9 AM – 2 PM: Car Show Registration

10 AM: Time Trials

11 AM & Noon: Open Comp, 6.0 Qualifying

Noon – 2 PM: Car Show Judging

1 PM: Exhibition Show

1:30 PM: Eliminations

3 PM: True Street Cruise

3:30 PM: Car Show Awards

4 PM: Car Show Parade down the track

Spectator Admission: Adults $15, ages 12-under $5

Race Classes

Pro Fast Ford (Pro ET Bracket – 1/8 mile, .50 Pro Tree – dial in)

Quick Ford (Foot brake ET Bracket – 1/8 mile, full tree – dial in)

Open Comp (Full Body only, 1/4 mile, .500 Pro Tree – qualifying time is dial-in with 1/10th breakout allowed)

6.0/7.0 Combo Index (Full Body only, 1/8 mile, .400 Pro Tree, 6.0 or 7.0 dial-in) Will separate 6.0 from 7.0 as long as possible

Street Ford (DOT Tire, Street Legal cars, 1/4 mile, full tree – dial in)

Tuff Truck (all Ford trucks, 1/4 mile, full tree – dial in)

True Street (Street legal, 1/4 mile, .400 Pro Tree, 30-mile drive, three back-to-back-to-back passes)

Purse and Entry

Fast Ford: $1,000 to win, $300 runner-up, $150 semi-finals, $75 quarter finals (30 car minimum) Car entry: $40 (either Ford body or Ford powered) – Buy-Backs: $30 1st or 2nd round

Quick ford: $600 to win, $200 runner-up, $100 semi-finals, $50 quarter finals (30 car minimum) Car entry: $30 (Buy-Backs: $20 1st or 2nd round)

Open Comp: $800 to win, $250 runner-up, $125 semi-finals, $65 quarter finals (30 car minimum) Car entry: $40 (Buy-Backs: $25 1st or 2nd round)

Street Ford: Trophy to Winner and to Runner-up, Car entry: $20 (Buy-backs: $10)

Tuff Truck: Trophy to Winner and to Runner-up, Truck entry: $20 (Buy-backs: $10)

True Street: $250 to Quickest Car, average of three runs – Trophy to 10 sec., 11 sec., 12 sec. and 13 sec., Car Entry: $20

All FoMoCo Car Show: Judging on Saturday only

Car Show Entry: $25 (car and driver)

Car Show trophy to each class winner

Car Show Categories:

Mustang: 1964-1973

Mustang: 1974-1993

Mustang: 1994-2004

Mustang: 2005-present

Classic Ford: all to 1939

Classic Ford: all 1940 to 1960

Muscle Car: 1960-1973

Late Model: 1974-1979

Non-Mustang: 1980-2012

Competition Sports:  GT40, Ford GT, Cobra & kit cars

Falcon/Comet:  all years

Mercury/Lincoln/Continental: all years

Thunderbird: all years

Pre-1989: Trucks, pickups & SUVs

1990-2012: Trucks, pickups & SUVs

Special Awards:

Best Engine

Best Paint

Best Interior

Best of Show

For more information about the Fun Ford Weekend Series event at Rockingham Dragway, visit their web site at www.rockinghamdragway.com

About Fun Ford Weekend

The family-oriented Fun Ford Weekend series is run by each of the tracks that host the events. Each track creates its own event schedule, racing structure, car show, and if adequate space, will also have autocross competition. The goal of the series is to get as many automotive enthusiasts that have a passion for the Ford brand to participate, celebrate and enjoy the events. For more information on Fun Ford Weekend, visit www.funfordweekend.com.

Chevrolet and Ford enthusiasts in the Midwestern Region have been vocal for each series to return to the centrally located track in the St. Louis metro since Gateway’s closure in 2010.

Filling the void in the schedule left by Spokane County Raceway’s departure from both event series, Gateway Motorsports Park Owner, Curtis Francois is excited to bring back each event to the Midwest by hosting the Super Chevy Show, June 22 – 24 and Fun Ford Weekend August 10 – 12, 2012.

“It’s really incredible to have both the Super Chevy Show and Fun Ford Weekend series as a part of the Inaugural Season for the new Gateway Motorsports Park. We have the most exciting 2012 racing and event schedule to ever hit the Gateway drag strip, and these series are just an example of great things to come,” said Francois.

Both the Super Chevy Show and Fun Ford Weekend events will offer fans a Friday Night Test ‘n Tune, Bonus Bracket and Elimination Drag Racing, Car Show, Swap Meet and Midway featuring series’ sponsors and vendors specializing in vehicle aftermarket performance and restoration parts.

Lex Dudas, General Manager of Maple Grove Raceway and President of the Super Chevy Show, and Gabrielle Stevenson, President of the Texas Motorplex and Fun Ford Weekend are both pleased with Gateway Motorsports Park’s reopening and decision to join each event series.

“Adding Gateway Motorsports Park to the Super Chevy Series family is a plus for our many fans in the St. Louis area. The new ownership has made a giant step in bringing the facility back on line for 2012 and beyond. We know the Super Chevy Show will be a great addition to the track’s schedule,” said Dudas.

“We’re thrilled Gateway is back on the national racing scene and that Fun Ford Weekend will be part of their 2012 schedule,” Stevenson said. “Fans in and around St. Louis have been very vocal about wanting top-notch racing and car shows to return to their area and I think the Fun Ford Weekend will be a celebration of the facility’s return and to its faithful fans.”

For more information about Gateway Motorsports Park, contact Curtis.Francois@gatewaymsp.com

About Super Chevy Show Series
Super Chevy Show is a 12-event North American series owned by the host tracks. The series showcases the best in car show, drag race, swap meet, car corral, in addition to autocross at selected events. The 2012 season kicks off in March at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Fla., and closes in October at Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, N.C. The series will return to Memphis Intl. Raceway, in 2012, traditionally one of the largest shows on the circuit. Widely considered the best brand-specific event in the country, Super Chevy Show series information can be found at www.superchevyshow.com

About Fun Ford Weekend Series
The family-oriented Fun Ford Weekend series is run by each of the tracks that host the events. Each track creates its own event schedule, racing structure, car show, and if adequate space, will also have autocross competition. The goal of the series is to get as many automotive enthusiasts that have a passion for the Ford brand to participate, celebrate and enjoy the events. For more information on Fun Ford Weekend, visit www.funfordweekend.com.

Ford racers from all across the southwestern US will be looking to cash in at Las Vegas Fun Ford Weekend

“We’re very excited to have the Fun Ford Weekend Series coming to America’s Greatest Dragstrip,” said Chris Blair, Las Vegas Motor Speedway Vice President of Racing Operations. “The response from racers, sponsors, car clubs, vendors and fans has been tremendous and it should be an incredible weekend for not only Ford enthusiasts but for all car lovers.”

Being just the second event to leave the line for the 2012 Fun Ford Weekend Series, the Las Vegas event will have something for everyone. “Spectators will be treated to some great drag racing action at the finest National Event facility, tremendous support from some incredible Ford car clubs from throughout the Southwest, a spectacular performance midway, the best “Ford Only” car show in Las Vegas and a fun-filled autocross event right in the middle of the action,” said Blair. “You can bet, there’s no experience like an event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  A first class facility, friendly people and a community that is dedicated to great events.”

Las Vegas Fun Ford Weekend Schedule and Details

The folks at Ford and Ford Racing used the 2011 racing season to celebrate the company’s 110th birthday. And what better way to start the year-long celebration than with a Daytona 500 win by Trevor Bayne in the Wood Brothers’ famous #21 Ford.

In NHRA Full Throttle Drag racing action, John Force Racing started off the year with Mike Neff scoring a runner-up finish at the season-opening Winternationals at Pomona. From here, Ford racers and their teams powered their way to an impressive list of event wins and championships.

Check out Ford Racing’s official recap of the season and this 2011 Ford Racing highlight video. Yes indeed, Henry Ford would have been proud.

The Return of the Fun Ford Weekend Series

With the pro Ford racers tearing up tracks all around the country, grassroots Ford enthusiasts were greeted with the announcement in May of the re-launch of the Fun Ford Weekend Series presented by Roush Yates and JE Pistons and a five-event schedule.

The opening “re-launch” event of 2011 was held in Denver. “Bandimere Speedway was honored to kick off the first of five events to showcase the reestablishment of the Fun Ford Weekend Series,” said John “Sporty” Bandimere. “Ford enthusiasts are some of the most passionate automotive enthusiasts and if the success of the events is any indication of the “blue oval excitement” building for 2012, these Fun Ford Weekends are going to be the “must attend” events of the year.”

Fun Ford Weekends: Bigger and Event Better in 2012

With the inagural season in the record books, Fun Ford Weekend owners and management have been working hard to grow not only the number of 2012 events, but also the scope and number for Ford-focused activities going on at each.

“Everyone involved in the relaunch of the Fun Ford Weekend has one goal for 2012: make the series even better for all the faithful Ford owners, racers and fans,” says Jeff Lacina, Marketing and Sponsor Relations Manager for the series. “Ford fans were very excited to see the series back and their comments, feedback and suggestions were taken to heart by the series owners. Thus, all the Ford faithful are going to see a few changes and enhancements to the events in 2012.”

With the opening event of the 2012 season just three months away, many track and series owners are still finalizing their racing programs. (See the Royal Purple Raceway season-opening race classes here) In general, here are some of the enhancements to the series participants can expect;

* More heads-up racing classes

* The Cobra Jet Challenge (sponsor announcement coming soon!)

* Autocross competitions at multiple events

* Increased participation from previous series and event sponsors

* More True Street Events

* Larger car shows and midway vendor displays

* Registration for season-long give-aways

* Expanded media coverage of all events

* Special promotions from series and event sponsors

These are just a few of the things Fun Ford Weekend participants can expect to see in 2012.

About Fun Ford Weekend

The family-oriented Fun Ford Weekend series is run by each of the tracks that host the events. Each track creates its own event schedule, racing structure, car show, and if adequate space, will also have autocross competition. The goal of the series is to get as many automotive enthusiasts that have a passion for the Ford brand to participate, celebrate and enjoy the events. For more information on Fun Ford Weekend, visit www.funfordweekend.com.

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 30, 2011 – U.S. sales of the Ford brand this week topped 2 million vehicles for the first time since 2007. The milestone makes Ford the best selling brand in America and the first automotive brand to hit the 2 million mark since 2007.

“Ford’s lineup of high-quality, fuel-efficient cars, utilities and trucks continues to attract more and more new customers,” said Erich Merkle, Ford’s sales analysis manager. “With gasoline prices tracking higher than last year, customers continue to move toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, whether they are passenger cars or utilities.”

2012 Ford Fiesta

Both the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus achieve 40 mpg highway, while the Ford Explorer brings a class-leading 28 mpg highway with its new EcoBoost engine.

Ford’s smallest utility, the fuel-efficient Escape, has achieved record sales volumes this year and is America’s best selling utility vehicle.

Overall, Ford brand small cars are on pace to post an increase of more than 20 percent this year. Ford brand utilities are tracking to post more than a 30 percent gain.

Most Ford products deliver best-in-class fuel economy and provide customers with the opportunity to choose what best works for them – from EcoBoost-powered gasoline vehicles to hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electrified vehicles. In fact, with the company’s new electrified vehicle introductions, nearly one-third of Ford’s vehicle lines in the U.S. will feature a model with 40 mpg or more in 2012 – a claim no other full-line automaker can match.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

Since then, our horsepower-happy friends at Ford also produced 2010 and 2012 Cobra Jet Mustangs, each year proving to be more popular (and powerful) than the preceding.

While they had some significant tire tracks to fill, the modern Cobra Jet Mustangs and their owners have done an outstanding job in creating their own legacies of performance at drag strips all across North America. To wit, today’s CJ Mustangs have become the winningest late model vehicle in NHRA competition with numerous national event wins and multiple class records.

Ford used the 2011 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Orlando, Florida to pull the raps off their latest version of the Cobra Jet and of course, Fun Ford Weekend was there.

With more than three seasons of testing, racing, and customer feedback the 2013 Cobra J

et marks Ford Racing’s continued evolution of the factory-produced turnkey race car. Check out our walk-around videos of the car.

“The 2008 Cobra Jet is a great car. It does everything we wanted it to do,” said George Goddu, business manager, Ford Racing Performance Group. “We’re really proud of that car, but we improve with each new Cobra Jet offering and 2013 is no exception.”

For the 2013 edition, the Cobra Jet will offer two 5.0L TiVCT engine options. Customers may choose a naturally aspirated engine with Cobra Jet induction system, CNC ported heads, high lift cams and low-drag accessory drive, or a 2.9L Whipple supercharged version with CNC port matched manifold and heads, and a proprietary 10-rib supercharger drive system for high rpm use.

“The 5.0L has all the attributes to make a world class drag racing engine and is ideal for the Cobra Jet,” said Goddu. “Both the naturally aspirated and supercharged engines will be competitive as delivered.”

Additionally, the speed-freak engineers at Ford Racing spent a lot of time improving not just the engine package, the the chassis as well. Numerous lightweight body modifications provide better weight distribution and while a new electric power steering unit provides better drivability without parasitic horsepower loss. A new roll cage design is optimized for safety and chassis rigidity while the brake pedal ratio has been revised for more modulation and stopping power. And finally, a revised rear suspension geometry delivers faster and more consistent 60-foot times.

The 2013 Cobra Jet is priced to be the best value in the market with an approximate MSRP of $86,000 with the naturally aspirated engine option, and $93,000 with the supercharged engine. Additional options and pricing will be announced January 2012.

Much like many of Ford Racing’s previous turnkey race cars, the 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang will be built by the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich. Production of Cobra Jets will commence in June 2012, with delivery of all vehicles expected mid-summer of 2012.

Cobra Jet components will be available through Ford Performance Parts, allowing racers to upgrade their Mustangs to Cobra Jet specifications.

2013 Cobra Jet production is limited to only fifty (50) units and orders placed through Ford dealers will be filled on a first come first served basis. (Part number M-FR500-CJ).

Finally, all Cobra Jet fans can help choose the color of the 2013 Cobra Jet – classic white, silver or black – by voting online at Ford Racing.com. Voting ends December 31, 2011.

“We are looking forward to kicking off the 2012 Fun Ford Weekend Series with a Texas-sized gathering of Ford racers and show cars at Royal Purple Raceway,” said Seth Angel, vice president and general manager of the Baytown, TX racing venue. “What better way to kick off our 25th season of racing than with a Fun Ford Event. Our team is already hard at work and we can’t wait to see all our racing friends in March.”

2012 Event Schedule: Friday, March 23

Royal Purple Raceway, Photo by: Scott Singleton, SSR Racing Photos

Vendor Gate Opens: 3:00 PM

Legal Street Racing: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Saturday, March 24

Vendor Gate Opens: 7:00 AM

Gates Open: 8:00 AM

Test N Tune: 9:00 AM

Car Show Registration: 9:00 AM-3:00PM

Time Runs Begin: 11:00 AM

Qualifying Begins: 12:00 Noon

Car Show Judging: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

True Street Cruise: 2:20 PM

Eliminations: 3:00 PM

Car Show Awards: 5:00 PM (Tower Club)

2012 GATE PRICES

Adult Spectator: $15

Crew: $15

Children 12 & under: FREE

Car Show (Car & Driver): $25

Test N Tune: $25

Swap Meet: $25 (1 20×20 space & 1 gate Entry)

Car Corral: $25 (1 20×20 space & 1 gate Entry)

RACER PRICES

Serious Mustang hookup at Royal Purple Raceway! Photo by: Scott Singleton, SSR Racing Photos

(Full body cars must be Ford-bodied, any power plant

allowed & Open body cars must be Ford Powered)

NOTE: All cars must pass NHRA Safety Technical Inspection.

ET Bracket Classes

Fast Ford (Electronics Class – 1/4 Mile) $40

Quick Ford (No Electronics Class – 1/4 Mile) $40

Street Ford (DOT Tire & Registration Required – 1/4th Mile) $25

Tuff Truck (any Ford Truck – 1/4th Mile) $25

Heads Up Classes

11.0 INDEX – 1/4th Mile $35

12.0 INDEX – 1/4th Mile $35

13.0 INDEX – 1/4th Mile $35

X275 Street Shootout – 1/8th Mile $50

Street Cruise & Drag Race Class

(A 20 mile street cruise & 3 back to back 1/4 Mile runs)

True Street – 1/4th Mile $35

CLASSES

FAST FORD – Electronics Class, 1/4 Mile, Full Tree, Dial Your Own

QUICK FORD – No Electronics Class, 1/4 Mile, Full Tree, Dial Your Own

STREET FORD – Street Legal, 1/4 Mile, Full Tree, Dial Your Own, All Run

TUFF TRUCK – Street Legal 1/4 Mile, Full Tree, Dial Your Own, All Run

HEADS UP INDEX – 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 – 1/4 Mile, .400 Pro Tree.

X275 STREET SHOOTOUT- 1/8th Mile, .400 Pro Tree, Heads Up

TRUE STREET – 1/4 Mile, .400 Pro Tree, All Run

Royal Purple Raceway Fun Ford Weekend: PURSE & PAYOUTS

ET Bracket Classes

Fast Ford Winner $1,000; Runner Up $300; Round Money $30

Quick Ford Winner $800; Runner Up $200; Round Money $30

Street Ford Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

Tuff Truck Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

Heads Up Classes

11.0 INDEX Winner $250; Runner Up $100

12.0 INDEX Winner $250; Runner Up $100

13.0 INDEX Winner $250; Runner Up $100

X275 Street Shootout Winner $850; Runner Up $350; Semis $150; Qtrs: $50

5.90 Renegade Winner $1,000; Runner Up $500; Semis $150; Qtrs: $50

True Street Race Classes

True Street Winner $250; Runner Up $100

10.00 Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

11.00 Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

12.00 Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

13.00 Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

Royal Purple Raceway, Fun Ford Weekend: CLASS RULES

FAST FORD – 1/4 Mile, Full Tree

Fast Ford Winner $1,000; Runner Up $300; Round Money $30; Buy Back $30

Electronics Class, 1/4 Mile, Full Tree, Dial Your Own, All Run Field, No Throttle Stops, Any Power Adder Combo Allowed, Any Tire Size Allowed, No Weight Limit

QUICK FORD – 1/4 Mile, Full Tree

Quick Ford Winner $800; Runner Up $200; Round Money $30; Buy Back $30

No Electronics Class, 1/4 Mile, Full Tree, All Run Field, No Throttle Stops, Any Power Adder Combo Allowed, Any Tire Size Allowed, No Weight Limit, must leave off footbrake

STREET FORD – 1/4 Mile, Full Tree

Street Ford Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY; Buy Back $15

No Slicks, DOT Tires, Registration Required, All Run Field, No Throttle Stops, Any Power Adder Combo Allowed, Any Tire Size Allowed, No Weight Limit

TUFF TRUCK – 1/4 Mile, Full Tree

Tuff Truck Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY; Buy Back $15

All Run Field, No Throttle Stops, Any Power Adder Combo Allowed, Any Tire Size Allowed, No Weight Limit

11.00, 12.00, & 13.00 INDEX – 1/4 Mile, Pro Tree

11.0 INDEX Winner $250; Runner Up $100; Buy Back $20

12.0 INDEX Winner $250; Runner Up $100; Buy Back $20

13.0 INDEX Winner $250 Runner Up $100 Buy Back $20

Pro .400 Tree, All Run Field, Closest to Index without going under, No Throttle Stops, Any Power Adder Combo Allowed, Any Tire Size Allowed, No Weight Limit, Ladder BY Previous Round (Closest Reaction Time)

TRUE STREET – 1/4 Mile, Pro Tree, All Run

True Street Winner $250; Runner Up $100

10.00 Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

11.00 Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

12.00 Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

13.00 Winner TROPHY; Runner Up TROPHY

All True Street vehicles must conform to these guidelines:

1. Must be a Ford bodied or an Open body vehicle that is Ford powered.

2. Any engine is permitted on closed body vehicles.

3. Any style cylinder head is allowed.

4. Any type of induction system is allowed. Both carburetor and fuel injection are permitted.

5. Any form of power adder is allowed, including nitrous, single and twin turbos, and superchargers. Twin power adders are permitted.

6. No minimum race weight is required.

7. A closed exhaust with mufflers is required. All exhaust fumes must exit the outlet of the muffler. Turndowns are permitted.

8. Any style front suspension, including bolt-on tubular K-members, replacement front clips, etc., is permitted.

9. Any rear suspension is allowed, including tubs and mini-tubs.

10. An entry must start, operate, and drive under its own power with one driver in the car.

11. All cars must have D.O.T. approved tires and wheels in the front and rear during the road cruise, and while racing.

12. Car must complete the road cruise of 20 miles, and three rounds of eliminations on one tank of fuel. No refueling will be permitted after the road cruise begins.

All drivers must have the following:

1. A current, valid driver’s license.

2. Valid, current insurance and registration cards for any vehicle entered in competition, which must be presented (with driver’s license at the request of the tech inspector. License plate(s) are mandatory; no dealer plates or registrations. Faxes or letters from insurance companies are not permitted–actual paperwork must be presented when requested.

3. All operational, DOT-mandated safety equipment for the particular model year must be operational, including (but not limited to headlights, taillights, turn signals, horn and brake lights; cars will be checked for proper operation of equipment.

4. A Drag Race entry purchased at the gate.

5. A tech card for track tech. Track tech may follow True Street tech, but will be performed regardless.

6. A pen to fill in the tech card legibly. All information that will be posted after the race, and in the magazine must be legible. We are not responsible for misspelled names, unknown years, and models of cars.

Road Cruise:

1. All vehicles, after passing True Street tech, will proceed to the next segment, the designated road cruise.

2. Escorts will be provided. All participants must obey local and federal traffic laws, including passing, merging and speed limits. Burnouts or other illegal acts before or during the road cruise are prohibited. Violators will be subject to disqualification.

3. All support vehicles (i.e., tow vehicles or any other vehicle that will not be actually racing) are allowed to go on the road cruise, provided they are behind the entire group of True Street participants.

4. Any car unable to complete the road cruise under its own power will be disqualified, along with the driver.

5. After completion of the road cruise, all cars are to go back to designated area for True Street participants which is the Return Road in front of the main grandstands.

6. Opening of the hood is prohibited once the road cruise begins until three rounds of drag strip competition have been completed. If the hood is opened during this time, the car and driver will be disqualified.

7. Opening the trunk or hatch of the car is allowed prior to the first round of competition (i.e., hooking up nitrous bottles. ) Changing nitrous bottles is not permitted once the racing commences.

8. No external cooling of the engine is allowed. No external fans, ice or pressurized fluids may be used. Use of a radiator-mounted primary electric cooling fan is permitted. No battery charger may be connected to the battery after the road cruise. Excessive use of your electric fan may drain your battery. If the battery is unable to start your car during racing, both car and driver will be disqualified.

9. No repairs are to be made from underneath the engine compartment. Any attempts to repair items from underneath will be grounds for disqualification.

Race Procedure:

1. Hoods and deck lids are not to be opened for any reason during the three passes. Hatchback owners may reach through the passenger compartment to access the hatch area only to open nitrous bottles.

2. Tire pressure may be checked, but air can only be removed. No inflation of tires is permitted during the race; therefore, no inflation equipment will be permitted in the car.

3. If you experience any problems (mechanical or otherwise,) and cannot make a pass, do not make it. If you oil down or crash on the track surface, you jeopardize yourself and others. Promptly inform a track official of your withdrawal from the class.

4. Only drivers will be permitted to be with the car during the three passes. All pit members may stand only in the grandstand area or burnout area.

5. If a car is unable to start under its own power, both the driver and car will be disqualified. No push starts will be allowed.

6. All cars and racers must make three runs ¼ Mile, .400 Pro Tree.

7. After the three passes are made, E.T.’s will be added up, and then divided by three, establishing an average used to place the drivers. The three run average will be used to determine the winner, runner-up and index winners.

Winner – Quickest average E.T. of three runs

Runner-up – 2nd Quickest average E.T. of three runs

10 second index – closest average time to 10.0 seconds

11 second index – closest average time to 11.0 seconds

12 second index – closest average time to 12.0 seconds

13 second index – closest average time to 13.0 seconds

8. All results and decisions from the Fun Ford staff are final. Averages will be posted the day of the race at the Fun Ford car show tent.

All cars must pass track and/or NHRA technical inspection, and must be legal for the elapsed time, and speed they run. Drivers must have proper licensing; i.e., if you have a 9-second car, you must have a 9-second driver’s license. It is up to the track to enforce all safety rules.

Show Car Categories:

Mustang: 1964-’68, 1969-’73, 1974-’78, 1979-’86, 1987-’93, 1994-’98, 1999-‘04, 2005-’09, 2010-present

Conversion (Ford powered vehicle)

Competition Sports: GT 40, Cobra, Kit Car, Road Race, Etc.

Compact- Focus-Front wheel drive

Open- Big Car

Thunderbird

Galaxie, Fairlane, Torino, Falcon

Rod (pre-1949)

Lincoln, Mercury

Nostalgia- Post 1950

Pre- 1989 SUV & Pickup

1990-2010 SUV & Pickup

2011-2012 Display only

Roush, Saleen, Steeda

Shelby

SVT vehicles  1993-2004

* Special Awards to include: Track Choice, Best Wheels, Cool Factor, People’s Choice, Best Engine, Best Paint/Body, Best of Show, Best Race Car and more.

For more information about the Fun Ford Weekend Series event at Houston’s Royal Purple Raceway, visit their web site at www.royalpurpleraceway.com

About Fun Ford Weekend

The family-oriented Fun Ford Weekend series is run by each of the tracks that host the events. Each track creates its own event schedule, racing structure, car show, and if adequate space, will also have autocross competition. The goal of the series is to get as many automotive enthusiasts that have a passion for the Ford brand to participate, celebrate and enjoy the events. For more information on Fun Ford Weekend, visit www.funfordweekend.com.