ilmor Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Jul 15, 2008 19:42 Ford Motor Company to Help Shelby Autos Return to Racing with Road America Team ¶ -- Ford's sponsorship of the 2008 Kohler International Challenge made it possible for the Shelby Automobiles Racing Team to return. ¶ -- The team will be assembled under the direction of Carroll Shelby and is the foundation for a new racing program. ¶ -- This is the first time since 1969 that an official Shelby factory racing team will be fielded. ¶ -- Shelby Automobiles continues to manufacture authentic Cobras. DEARBORN, Mich. --(Business Wire)-- Jul. 15, 2008 Thanks to Ford Motor Company's sponsorship of the 2008 Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman at Road America, an official factory racing team from Shelby Automobiles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., (Pink Sheets:CSBI) will once again roar onto the track. Four authentic Shelby 427 Cobras will compete in the races in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., beginning July 17 through 20, 2008. This is the first factory race initiative from Shelby Autos and Ford Motor Company since 1969. "Ford and Shelby made racing history once, so it's very exciting to come full circle again," said Carroll Shelby. "Now we're going to make history again together. My goal is to return us to professional racing and this is just the beginning." The Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman is one of the largest vintage gatherings in the USA with over 30 classes of cars in ten groups. Sanctioned by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, the event features vintage race cars competing on Road America, the world's fastest permanent road course. Tom Barnard, Vincent Dean, AC and Tim Korzen will pilot four CSX4000 427 Cobras in Group 10. "The partnership between Ford and Shelby put the blue oval in the winners circle in everything from SCCA races to LeMans," said Robert Parker, manager of Ford Car Marketing. "We're proud to sponsor the Shelby team for the Road America Races and look forward to participating side by side with our fans and consumers." Shelby cars dominated the racing scene during the 1960's through its own efforts or factory support of private teams. The 289 and 427 Cobras won road racing and drag racing championships worldwide while Ford Shelby Mustangs trounced sedan teams under the Shelby banner. "It was never a matter of if, but when Shelby would make it back to the track," added Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. "Thanks to our relationship with Ford, we're evaluating all of our options for a racing program. I look forward to bringing home championships again." Carroll Shelby, one of America's greatest race car drivers, dominated sports car racing in the mid-1950s. His crowning achievement as a driver came in 1959, when he won the 24 hours of Le Mans. Upon retiring from racing, Shelby forged a relationship with Ford and founded Shelby American to create the Cobra sports car. Today his company, Shelby Automobiles, continues to build the Cobra as a component vehicle in the 289 street car, FIA and 427 S/C models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hawkins Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 That is so cool. I hope the Races are televised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordRocks1 Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Woohoo!!!! Time to be part of history again..... :happy feet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted July 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 I hope they begin to race Mustangs again also! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharon Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Robert and I are in the car on the way to Road America, looks like it will be one to remember. For those of you that are going Team Shelby will be set up next to Ford come by and say hello. Sharon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svttim Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Robert and I are in the car on the way to Road America, looks like it will be one to remember. For those of you that are going Team Shelby will be set up next to Ford come by and say hello. Sharon Are applications for the drivers positions on line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerS Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 This is fantastic news! I've followed the race history on these cars for years. It will surely be a site to behold. Maybe a primer for things to come! Go Team Shelby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zray Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Jul 15, 2008 19:42 ....... "Ford and Shelby made racing history once, so it's very exciting to come full circle again," said Carroll Shelby. "Now we're going to make history again together. My goal is to return us to professional racing and this is just the beginning." ........ I like the part about, "this is just the beginning"... so now I can look forward to CS kicking Ferrari's ass again! Z. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnsignaldelete Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 “Ford and Shelby made racing history once, so it’s very exciting to come full circle again,” said Carroll Shelby. “Now we’re going to make history again together. My goal is to return us to professional racing and this is just the beginning.” Full Story; http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ford...D&dist=hppr :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet:......................................................... ("was that 1st turn, Lft or Rt ??) .Four authentic Shelby 427 Cobras + (Turn signal delete) ???? YAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!!!!.....Let's GO.....SHELBY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSGT500 Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 Robert and I are in the car on the way to Road America, looks like it will be one to remember. For those of you that are going Team Shelby will be set up next to Ford come by and say hello. Sharon Any discount tickets available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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