This is my entry into the 2011 Ultimate Track Car Challenge.
We start with a sedate family sedan, the Ford Taurus. Some of our readers are probably aware of the relationship FMC had with Yamaha in the late 80's, out of which sprang the 1989 Taurus SHO. The mild-mannered grocery getter that was the vanilla Taurus was turned into quite a performance sedan for its time, after the addition of the SHO specific 3.0 DOHC V6 from Yamaha. With a 220hp output, improved suspension bits, unique interior and exterior styling cues, and a 5-speed manual transmission, the Taurus SHO was quite an accomplishment for a domestic car maker, especially in 1989. While 220hp is strictly rental fleet territory now, 22 years ago it was magazine cover worthy, and the SHO graced quite a few covers at its introduction.
Fast forward to the 21st century though, and the executive class Q-ships that SHO's once were have mostly become rusted and worn out beaters that can be had for $400 on craigslist. Still to this day though, the SHO has its faithful followers, with an active online community, and a yearly gathering that attracts 120+ SHO's and their owners from around the country to attend SHO specific car shows, SHO themed banquets, and a day at a road course where these cars can be driven as they were meant to be. Then, you have the SHO nuts, the certifiably insane individuals who think a 3300lb FWD 4-door sedan makes a good platform for a performance driving machine, people who gladly sink tons of time and money into wringing every bit of HP out of that jewel of an engine, folks that still to this day get all excited when they open that hood and see the 'bundle of snakes' intake that the SHO is famous for. Yes, I admit it, a foolhardy endeavor it is, one that I am inexorably drawn to nonetheless.
So, while this site, and the automotive world in general, has no shortage of fast Corvettes and Vipers, competent Camaros and Mustangs, 9-second Civics, boosted AWD computer driven masterpieces, and these days even plenty of 800/900/1000hp supercars, what it is definitely short on is 200mph Taurus SHO's. For me, so much of what is great about customizing is taking something most people see as lump of coal and turning it into a...well, a diamond doesn't really describe it...let's just say a faster lump of coal! I am very hopeful that the editors of Grassroots Motorsports will understand all that is involved in taking a big family car and making it fun and competent on a road course, and hopefully enough of you guys will want to see what an average guy on a budget can do with a little out of the box thinking and dedication (however misplaced it may be!). Please vote to see this car at the 2011 Ultimate Track Car Challenge!
