READY TO RACE; FORD EXPECTS 10-SECOND PASSES RIGHT OFF THE TRAILER.(News)

Byline: ROGER HART

* Ford, like Chrysler, hasn't built a specific drag-racing car since 1968, but come February in Pomona, Calif., at the NHRA 2008 season opener, at least four brand-new Mustang Cobra Jets are expected to take to the strip in the Sportsman ranks. The car is to be unveiled at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Brian Wolfe, the head of Ford Racing, said the car was developed in just six months. And unlike the Dodge Challenger (see page 12), the Cobra Jet will be a turnkey race car.

Owners "will be able to roll the car off the trailer and pass through NHRA tech inspection with no work required, said Wolfe. Naturally, racers >>>>being racers, they'll want to change certain things, but this is a turnkey race car that will make 10-second passes right off the trailer, Wolfe said.

The Cobra Jet fits into the NHRA AA Stock and D Super Stock categories. Racers campaigning custom-built "Stangs have kept the drag-racing stalwart commonplace on drag strips for the past 40 years.

The Cobra Jet starts life as a stock Mustang, but the sound deadening and insulation for the road car are left out, as are any HVAC components. The rear window is polycarbonate, and the car is fitted with racing tires and Cobra Jet-specific aluminum wheels. Seat covers will carry the Cobra Jet logo, and so will the gauges and a big tachometer mounted on top of the dash. In case you're wondering, both collectors and racers have sought out the car.

"I'm confident these cars will be showing up at drag strips, however, Wolfe said.