RRS TEST, SPEED, TIME & ENDURANCE >

Before installing RRS Suspension

After Installing RRS Suspension

RRS and Gateway Classic Mustang wanted to prove something at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit June 12-13, 2008; they wanted to see if it was possible to change a '65 Mustang from an ill handling beast to a road course rocket in one day. "It was a hard challenge, but with the help of the folks at the Mid-America Ford Meet (www.midamericafordmeet.com) and the superlative staff at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit (www.hallettracing.net), as well as the highly capable group at Gateway Classic Mustang (www.gatewayclassicmustang.com) we achieved our goals," said Jeff Ford, CEO of RRS's US operations.

Gateway started out with a Mustang owned by Nick Branson, their 19 year old shop hand. The stock suspension on the coupe was checked out and deemed track ready; however, a set of Vintage Wheel Works 45s were added along with sticky BF Goodrich KD tires. The sway bar remained the worn and aging stock unit as did the steering. This is what Jay Bittle of JBA fame took out on the track initially. Pushing hard, Jay clocked a best time of 1.52 around the track. Jay was seen to struggle mightily with the coupe as it went around the track. Then RRS and Gateway took over and completed the conversion to the RRS suspension in just over seven hours.

The car received an RRS strut and brake kit, strut rod adjuster kit, lower A-arms, rack and pinion as well as the RRS 3-Link and rear discs. No other changes were made. "We wanted to show that RRS components can make a profound difference in the car," said Ford. Jason Childres co-founder of Gateway Classic Mustang added this; "The RRS 3-Link has been updated with full adjustability for axle alignment, Watts link position and torque arm placement and now comes with an axle housing or in a more complete assembly that includes the axles and third member."

On a wet track (it rained on the second part of testing), the little hardtop went 1.44 around the circuit-Jay was confident that with a better alignment (the track lacked alignment facilities) he could have toppled the existing time. Even so, after the run Jay exclaimed that the hardtop handled better than his race car.

To show the dramatic changes RRS employed Langley Enterprises from Tulsa,
Oklahoma to shoot undercar video.

Click Here to Checkout the Video Now!

"The funny thing is that the photos and web shot show how little drama the RRS parts create, well, accept for in the change in lap times," said Ford.