Hauling Ass with Ford Performance in a Shelby GT350 Mustang

By Ed Tahaney - May 4, 2016

Some Fords just get better and better. The latest Shelby GT350 Mustang is no exception and is a serious blast to drive on a track at speeds in the triple digits. The 5.2-liter flat-plane V8 engine delivers 526 horsepower with 429 lb.-ft. of torque. Not bad for the racetrack and pretty bonkers for the street.

I snagged a little seat time in a Shelby GT350 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, near Bakersfield, California courtesy of Ford Performance and I can honestly say it did not suck.

Buttonwillow is a 3.1 mile track with decent straights and some blind, twisty turns with nicknames like the Truck Stop and Zorro’s Corners.

Ford extended the invite to members of the press and other lucky guests for a few runs and hot laps with help from professional drivers from the Ford Performance Racing School.

After a brief safety meeting and a gander at the list of rules like “NO BURNOUTS OR HOTRODDING,” we signed releases, grabbed our helmets and hit the track.

The naturally aspirated V8 sounds incredible, the Michelin Pilot Super Sports helps keep the Mustang firmly planted on the track and my laps flew by in a blur.

It was an awesome run overall, but much too short and I look forward to more time behind the wheel. Lots more. Check out our GT350 photo gallery below.