DETROIT’S automakers have long defended their racing expenditures with a simple axiom: Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday.
But in at least one form of competition, this often-costly formula may be turning upside down, with automakers producing and selling limited editions intended solely for track use; the cars cannot be registered for road use. Essentially, they are moving the cars raced on Sundays from the expense side of the ledger to the income side.
The low production volume will not turn Detroit’s fortunes around. Still, when Ford built a run of 50 2008 Cobra Jet Mustangs specifically for drag racing, the program was successful on at least two levels. Not only did the cars sell out quickly at $69,900 each — Ford emphasized that it made a profit on each — but one went on to win its first race, taking Stock Eliminator honors at the National Hot Rod Association Winternationals here last month.
Dodge, another veteran of the ’60s horsepower wars, is also in the game with its Drag Pak program from Mopar… Details
There is a lot about Jack Roush that gets stuck in the craw of NASCAR Sprint Cup fans, like the fact that he’s combative, successful and will push the rules to the limit to get a win for his Roush Fenway Racing team.
But those very same reasons have made him an owner any professional sports organization would die to get as a franchise owner.
The multimillionaire industrialists from Michigan should be the poster boy for what fans want in a guy to run a team…. Details
Broken Bow/Holeshot Records artist and champion ATV Motocross racer Krista Marie has made her living on the open road singing, performing and racing. Now, building off of her existing relationship with the NHRA, Krista has connected with Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Screamin’ Eagle racing to make promotional appearances at H-D dealerships, NHRA events and will participate in charity rides across the country on behalf of the storied brand and to support Harley-Davidson’s effort to encourage women to ride….. Details