What’s better than owning an all-new 2015 or 2016 Shelby GT350 or GT350R? Learning how to drive it like a bat-out-of-hell on the track.
Ford Performance recognizes that enthusiasts want to master their all-new Shelby Mustang, which is why they’ve teamed up with the Ford Performance Racing School yet again to provide enthusiasts with a world class driving experience.
Taking place at the Utah Motorsports Campus out of Tooele, Utah, the collaborative efforts of both Ford Performance and the Ford Performance Racing School have dawned a new curriculum established as the Shelby GT350 Track Attack Program. The complimentary driving school program provides hands-on training from Ford Performance Racing School instructors and allows owners of the Ford Shelby GT350 and GT350R to experience the capabilities of a Shelby Mustang on closed road course.
The school is included in every Ford Shelby Mustang purchase. Ford says that all enthusiasts will need is a valid driver’s license and to know your way around a manual transmission. Heck, the best part is, you don’t even have to thrash your own Shelby. “We have our own fleet of GT350’s for them to drive,” says Ford Performance. “Why bring yours when you can burn up some tires on ours?”
As a participant of the Shelby GT350 Track Attack Program, what can one expect from this complimentary program? Ford Performance says, “Enthusiasts will learn the basics of performance driving including vision techniques, vehicle dynamics, cornering theory, braking, and downshifting. These are all techniques that are also critical in normal highway driving.”
The program’s most notable focus is to apply the experience that Ford Performance and the Ford Performance Racing School has accumulated over the last decade. Enthusiasts can attribute what they learn from the one-day event (an optional two-day event is available for an additional fee) and apply these practices to everyday driving and more, regardless of previous driving experience.
Ford Performance says, “The Ford Performance Racing School opened in 2006 with a fleet of twenty 2005 Mustang GT’s equipped with Ford Racing Performance Parts. We provided a number of options for professional driving instruction most of which are still available today. In 2007, we added ten additional base school cars and fifteen race-prepared Mustangs. In 2008 and 2009, we partnered with Ford to manage the Mustang Challenge, a professional race series run in conjunction with Grand Am. In 2012, we introduced the Boss Track Attack, which is a one-day owner driving experience provided to owners of the Boss 302. In 2012 we also added the Raptor Assault program. This was a retail program that taught off-road driving techniques and demonstrated the capabilities of the F-150 Raptor. In 2014, we introduced the ST Octane Academy. This is a one day program provided to owners by Ford, designed to showcase the unique capabilities of the Focus and Fiesta ST. This program continues to run. Our most recent addition is the GT350 Track Attack. In the spirit of the Boss Track Attack program, it is designed to showcase the amazing capabilities of the car while building driving skills along the way.”
Curiously enough, we inquired with Ford Performance regarding the possibility of a special track program for the upcoming Ford GT sometime in the future. While they couldn’t comment on the specifics; they did say, “Ford Performance is always seeking ways to demonstrate our product’s attributes and give owners unique performance opportunities.”
Ford encourages enthusiasts to bring a guest to participate in the program, and will include the opportunity to race one of the school’s race-prepped 2015 Mustangs during the event starting in April. For more information, visit the Shelby GT350 Track Attack Program’s website.