2=2-94 shell Sten NES Big iron: Kayne Scott with the two mighty Mustangs, the PDL on the right Mig ai hty t ful Mus l gal tangs LOD By Lindsay Kerr To any lover of muscle cars the name Ford Mustange will always induce a feeling of heart-felt affection. At the Wigram air force recently the home of the Lady Wigram Irophy race meeting, New Zealand's best known ford Mustangs met each other. There was a big difference in their ages but when they lined up Tea full sloe eVenerated excitement, class and real full blooded V8 noise. One was a Mustang built 17 years ago and the other in 1992. They were built under very ditterent circumstances but both have carried the Ford Musenthusiasts into the feelings of all motor racing Ihe older car was the legendary PDL Mustang 2. It was built in Christchurch and with Leo Leonard at the wheel went on to break lap records at every racing track in the country. It was a car that was to ultimately be blamed for causing the demise of allcomers racing in New Zealand in the late 1970s. Time and circumstances have changed and the current rules that govern allcomers type of racing in New Zealand today see a more controlled formula. The cars are faster than the PDL Mustang era and they too are breaking lap records at every circuit. The new Mustang is the Shell Mustang. It was built in the United States for Tranzam racing and brought to New Zealand by Mark Petch Racing for Kayne Scott to defend his national title. The Shell Mustang, like the PDL Mustang, was also breaking lap records, but a 100kg weight penalty has stopped its progress. Memories of the PDL Mustang, particulariy on the wide open spaces of Wisram, have become motor racing history. At this track in 1978 Leo Leonard set a lap record of 1:14.90, a time that would feature in the record books for many years after that. This year Kayne Scott took the new Mustang around in 1:12.36, a time that could have considerably quicker had he been able to run with the previously accepted weight of 1i0skg. The PDL Mustang : weighed in considerably ughter than this in its glory days, coming in at around 1070kg. Both cars are equipped with 6 litre engines from the Ford stabie, the older car with a 351 Cleveland Alloy block and the Shell car a 351 Cronin racing unit with a cast iron block and alloy heads. Given the same engine was still in the PDL Mustang today it is believed that it would match the Shell car for straight line speed, particularly as it has a wider track and uses wider wheels and rubber. But it would not be quicker in the corners. The big differences in the cars comes in the transmission area where the Sheil car runs with a five-speed racing gearbox while the PDL car has a road-going four-speed box. The older car has a standard Ford 9in differential while the new model is fitted with a Franklin Racing 10 1/2in unit. It doesn't finish here either. The new car has power steering — a luxury old Mustang was built — braking system. While both cars have ern car construction sees t limited unsprung weight t Either way, both cars sound fabulous and both r their respective eras. never thought of when the in addition to an improved a space frame chassis, modhe Shell car with only very o carry around. are eye catchers. They both epresent the very best from 31-3-94 Race statement soon epresentatives of the Canter- R bury Car Club, owners of Ruapuna Raceway, and the Motor Racing Club, who annually promote the Lady Wigram Trophy meeting, met recently. A decision has been made on the immediate future of Christchurch's international motor racing event, and the Motor Racing Club will release an official statement soon.