Here is one of the Chassis Dyno runs for my 2007 Ford Mustang GT, at Paul’s Automotive Engineering. The NASA American Iron series requires a ratio of 9.5 pounds to every one horsepower. This “restricted” pull was tuned to yield about 357 hp at the rear wheel, which will require my car to weigh approximately 3400 pounds at the end of the race. Unrestricted, this 302ci 3v motor delivers around 435 horsepower at the rear wheel.
I was pleased with my first visit to Skyline Speedway this season. A 5th place finish in the Don Wood Automotive car with a strong field of Dirt Late model cars and drivers.
Skyline track conditions were unusual, with slick straightaways and tacky corners. I seemed to chase the setup all night with my car always being a little tighter than I like. I would like to thank Bruce Bigley for all his hard work getting the car ready. Bruce and I have raced together since 1994. It was nice to see a smile on his face with the top five finish.
Be sure to check out the “In Car Video” I posted on YouTube.
My first visit to Grattan Raceway was a blast. The recently repaved race surface offered competitive racing and a challenging course.
I finished 4th, 5th, and finally 3rd in the three races slated for the weekend in the DonWoodFordLinclon.com Ford Mustang GT. Check out the video from race 3.
A wet and cold Putnam Park Road Course offered plenty challenges over the May 13th weekend. Many questions ran through my mind as the weekend progressed. Why did I not have rain tires? Would it rain before, during, or after the American Iron event?
Saturday’s race day offered nearly dry conditions through warm ups, and qualifying. Starting 3rd on the grid as the rain began to fall gave me some satisfaction that all competitors would have racing slicks on as there would be no time to change to rain tires. As the race began I was rear ended after the field checked up in front of me. The damage was cosmetic only and I was able to continue on with the race. With 5 minutes in the race, the rain began coming down in buckets and I survived my way to a 3rd place finish.
I will be competing in my first Dirt Late Model race of the season at Skyline Speedway, June 3rd, and attending The NASA Great Lakes event at Grattan Raceway June 11 & 12. Hope to see you at the races!
Lexington, Ohio: A pair of 3rd places finishes has Jeff Wood off to a great start for the 2011 NASA Great Lakes American Iron season. The 2007 Ford Mustang received many upgrades over the winter including, a new 4.6 3V engine, transmission, and suspension upgrades by Paul’s Automotive Engineering.
Wood was extremely impressed with the improvements made to the #34 car, ” I would like to thank Paul Faessler and his staff for the awesome job prepping my car for the 2011 season” .
Lexington, OH:Â A broken suspension component caused Jeff Wood to miss this weekends NASA “American Iron” event at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. During the morning warm up session, only two laps into the event, a lower control arm strut rod broke on the left front of Wood’s 2007 Ford Mustang GT.
In a repeat of the July race weekend, Wood was unable to compete due to a mechanical failure. ” I seem to be fighting some new car glitches”,  he commented. ” I recently installed Agent 47 suspension and, it was handling very well. I guess it was adjusted a little too aggressive on the front end  alignment settings, and the strut rod pulled away from the heim ends. Oh well…. as they say… That’s racin.”
Wood’s 2007 Ford Mustang GT is equipped with Ford Racing, 4.6 litre – 3 valve “Hot Rod” crate engine, 6 speed Tremec transmission, Mcleod “Magmum Force” clutch, Agent 47Â SLAÂ suspension, Penske Shocks, Stoptech Brakes, Hawk Brake Pads, and Forgeline wheels. In car video action was taken with a AIM “Smarty Cam”
Lexington, Ohio:  A cracked brake rotor prevented Jeff Wood from competing in July 23rd, NASA “American Iron†race series.  The defective part was discovered after the final test session while preparing for the racing event.
Wood was extremely disappointed to miss the race weekend. “ I couldn’t believe a new brake rotor would crack so quickly. The testing on Thursday and Friday went really well, and while preparing the car for Saturday’s race, I noticed the broken brake rotor. I’m just glad I caught the defective part prior to racing. That may have been real ugly if the rotor came apart during the competition.â€
DonWoodFordLM.com 2007 Ford Mustang GT "American Iron" Race Car.
Athens, OH - Don Wood Ford is pleased to announce the completion of their “mustang challenge” road race project car. The 2007 Ford Mustang GT was built to be similar in function and style to the purpose built Ford Mustang FR500S production race car. ” What started out as two cars is now one” says Jeff Wood, President of Don Wood Ford.
The Mustang GT was a collaborative effort by the parts and service staff of Don Wood Ford, local race car builder, Chris Stotts, and Wood. “I studied the Ford FR500S design and made every attempt to include as many features as possible,  including an AIM Sports Data Logger, and Steeda brake and  Chassis components.” ” Ford Racing Parts catalog provided much of the needed items such as a “Hot Rod” 4.6- 3 Valve crate engine, exhaust, wiring harness, and rear differential with 4.11 gears,” Wood added.
Mustang Chassis Ready For Assembly
Driver Side Door bars
Roll Cage design by Chris Stotts of Athens, Oh
Passenger Side Door Bars
Ford Mustang Chassis
FR500S Suspension and Steeda 14″ Brake Kit
DonWoodFordLM.com 2007 Ford Mustang GT “American Iron” Race Car.
The Mustangs future plans are to begin competing in the NASA American Iron racing series in the Great Lakes region. You may follow the progress of the new Mustang on JeffWood34.com or Twitter.
Don Wood Ford has a great selection of New Ford Mustangs in stock, including the Shelby GT500, and we are  accepting orders for the new 2011 Mustang model year. Please call Phil Coffman, sales manger to make an appointment to learn more today at (877) 463-5252.
Athens, Oh- Jeff Wood’s YouTube Channel “Incar34″ has just surpassed 45,000 views in less than 2 years. In an effort to provide dirt racing fans a Birdseye view of the racing action, Incar34 YouTube channel began. “I have had a lot of positive feedback from local race fans” Wood indicated.
The videos are recorded with a VIO-POV (point of view) digital camera. “The camera is real easy to use, The hard part is editing the video, which can take several hours”. “A recent investment in an AIM Smarty-Cam for my NASA (American Iron) Ford Mustang should provide awesome in car action with real time telemetry included.”I plan to use it April 9th at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.”  “I will be anxious to get the footage posted.” Wood says.
Jeff Wood will compete regularly at Skyline Speedway near Athens, Ohio and many road courses in the Midwest during the 2010 racing season.