Drag Race

"$kaycog" (skaycog)
09/24/2013 at 16:04 • Filed to: None

WRC driver Mats Østberg takes his Ford GT40 in a drag race against an Extra 300.

DISCUSSION (14)

Ben JS > $kaycog
09/24/2013 at 17:20

Does that be an original GT40? If so, WRC drivers earn WAY more than I'd been led to believe.

$kaycog > Ben JS
09/24/2013 at 17:27

I don't really know. I wonder if it actually belongs to him. I just repeated what was said on YouTube.

Ben JS > $kaycog
09/24/2013 at 17:46

Either way, what a lovely thing. I got overtaken by an original on the way back from the Le Mans classic in 2006, he was gunning it down the outside lane of the motorway, I've never since heard or seen anything like it, a proper monster.

$kaycog > Ben JS
09/24/2013 at 17:54

Oh, wow! I've never seen a GT40 in real life. I saw a new Ford GT in 2005, which I was lucky enough to have been given a ride in. It was unbelievable! I saw a reproduction GT40 at a car show. It was pathetic.

Ben JS > $kaycog
09/24/2013 at 18:02

That's the beauty of Le Mans Classic, every priceless classic that would otherwise be under a dust sheet is brought out to soak up the sun.

They always have open pits, and there's generally 5+ original GT40's there racing, so you can really get up close and talk to the owners.

Downside is, there's also always a million and one replicas, some of which are alright, some of which such as the Corvette based ones, are shocking.

What was the GT like, astonishingly quick I imagine?

$kaycog > Ben JS
09/24/2013 at 18:09

I'd love to be able to see the Le Mans Classic someday. *sigh*

The Ford GT I rode in was new at my local Ford dealership, so it was an around town ride. But he got "on it" a little from a couple of stop lights. Yeah, it was really quick. Several vehicles followed us until we got back to the dealership. They had no idea what they were looking at. One guy asked "is it real?" I've never seen another one since. I live in a very small town.

Ben JS > $kaycog
09/24/2013 at 18:23

It a pilgrimage for me, my Dad and our Morgan. Last year they had a collection of 250GTO's there, I think 19 of them at £30m each, quite a gathering.

For me, it's the Porsche 550 Spyder that races there that gets me weak at the knees, it has to be the most beautiful car I've ever seen.

I guess if you're not a jalop, then a GT looks massively alien mixed in with econo-boxes and Camry's (I'm trying to think what the standard 'melt in the background' car is in America as a reference). I think out of that Enzo/Carrera GT/GT/Pagani period of supercars, the Ford or the Porsche would be first on my buy list... my very theoretical buy list.

$kaycog > Ben JS
09/24/2013 at 18:45

I know what you mean about a "very theoretical buy list". I drool over a lot of different makes of super cars. A Morgan...........that's awesome!

Ben JS > $kaycog
09/24/2013 at 18:52

Morgans are my parents guilty-habit. They three, a two wheeler (the Morgan bike), a new three wheeler (which is silly fast), and a 1971 four wheeler. All of which are used regularly and driven properly.

Re the buying list.. a friend asked me to come up with my top ten fantasy garage.. took me like a week to figure it out. So hard!

$kaycog > Ben JS
09/24/2013 at 18:57

What a wonderful guilty-habit your parents have! :D I'm not even going to try a top ten car list. I'm pretty much tunnel vision about Fords. I'd probably start listing classics, maybe like including a 1959 Ford Retractable, a 1957 Ford Ranchero, etc.

Ben JS > $kaycog
09/24/2013 at 19:19

Indeed, you picked Fords, they picked Morgans. I've picked Porsches, car geeks are definitely creatures of habits.

The four wheeler Morgan have a Ford engine from the Lotus Cortina, it's a great little 1600CC that loves to rev. I take it then, you're driving a Ford?

My top ten would include a lot of Porsches.. a prototype 959, a 964 RS, a 2.7 RS Touring, Carrera GT, 997 GT2 RS, 550 RS Spyder.. just thinking about them makes me go light headed

$kaycog > Ben JS
09/24/2013 at 19:26

Your top ten are certainly drool-worthy! Nice! I have a 2013 Ford Escape SEL with the 1.6L EcoBoost, and I absolutely love it! A year ago, Matt Hardigree was flown to California by Ford Motor Co. to test drive the 2013 Escapes. Then Matt did an article on Jalopnik about it. I commented to him that I was thinking about getting a Ford Edge, but I was seriously thinking about an Escape after reading his review. Matt replied to me........2013 Escape SE, 1.6L. That was all he said. Also, the owner of my local Ford Store recommended the Escape to me. So, I ordered one. I got SEL instead of SE, so I could have leather interior. I've never named a car before, but I did this one. I call her Mattie. ;D

Ben JS > $kaycog
09/24/2013 at 19:33

I think in England we'd call that a Ford Kuga, great little things from what I've read.

Those ecoboost engines have gotten a ridiculous amount of good press, the main ones we have here are the 1.0L they put in the Focus and Fiesta. I was a bit dubious about such a small capacity engine delivering the necessary performance, but apparently they're pretty much unstoppable, is that you're experience?

Ha, what an awesome story, I'm sure Jalopnik has influenced thousands of car buying decisions by now.

I actually have to start thinking what my first car might be, I'm getting to the stage were post-university, and pre-lawyer, a car might be useful. I'm thinking of a previous gen small Audi, maybe an A2 (I don't know if you got those in the States?) or even a Renault Twingo 133 (again, don't know if they made it over there?). My parents have a 133 as their daily driver, and it's the most fun I've ever had on four wheels.

$kaycog > Ben JS
09/24/2013 at 19:46

I think you're right about the Kuga over there. I remember hearing that before. My previous car was a 2003 Explorer, 4.6L V8. So, I was really nervous if a 1.6L EcoBoost would have enough oomph for me. It TOTALLY does! And the Eco part of it is fantastic. On the highway, I get in the low 30's mpg and around town in the low 20's mpg. I couldn't be happier.

I don't know what Audis or Renaults are available here. Sorry. It will be interesting what you decide to get for your first car.

It was nice visiting with you! I have to sign off now. Later!