Having just spoke with Tony Martin of Backdraft I thought you might find his comments of interest regarding the No.4 Red Backdraft Racecar.
To my friend "Doc"-
"WHEN WE DROVE THE RED NO.4 BACDRAFT AT THE R&G IT DID NOT HAVE THE FULL GROUND EFFECTS PACKAGE ON IT. WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO FINISH THE FULL UNDER-BODY TRAYS.
WE FEEL THE FULL UNDER-BODY COVER IS WHAT WOULD HAVE REALLY TRANSFORMED THE CAR, BOTH IN HANDLING
AND STRAIGHT LINE SPEED.I AM WANTING TO FINISH A NEW CAR OVER HERE THIS YEAR, WITH EVERYTHING ON IT, BUT TIME SEEMS TO BE AT A PREMIUM AT THE MOMENT.
HAVING NOT DRIVEN NO.4 ON A LONG STRAIGHTAWAY I CANNOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION REGARDING IT'S TOP SPEED, BUT ACCORDING TO OUR CALCS. IT SHOULD RUN 200+ M.P.H. I KNOW THIS SEEMS PRETTY BOLD BUT WE HAD A VERY STRONG ENGINE AND THE CAR WAS FAR MORE "SLIPPERY" IN A STRAIGHT LINE THAN IT LOOKS.I WOULD BE DISSAPOINTED IF WE DID NOT MAKE 200!!
LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MONTHS TO COME. I AM VERY EXCITED AND REALLY WANT TO BRING "THE BACKDRAFT RACING BOYS" IN U.S. SOMETHING SPECIAL.
WE NOW HAVE REPRESENTATION IN EUROPE AND HAVE SENT THE 1ST 4 CARS OUT THERE. DUE TO EMISSION RULES WE BUILD THE GERMAN CARS WITH CHEVY LS1 ENGINES AND T56 6 SPEED TRANYS. THESE ARE NOT FOR THE U.S. PURISTS WHO PREFER THE FORD ENGINE SETUP BUT THEY MAKE A SUPER PACKAGE."
TONY MARTIN- BACKDRAFT
Considering that Dick Smith ran 198 m.p.h.in his Shelby Cobra at Daytona in 1967 I don't believe that Tony is being too optimistic with his No.4 Backdraft shooting for 200+ m.p.h.
Dick Smith- World Speed record @ 198 m.p.h.
For more details on this go here:
http://jmichael.info/dicksmith.htm
I for one believe that Tony and Backdraft will in the very near future BREAK the previous speed records for a Cobra and then some!
"Doc"
