The 2010 season is underway, and with early testing results with new pilot and SAM Student Rob Valden doing the driving duties, the ’95 Mustang has shown very encouraging results. In February, testing the mustang in new 2010 NMRA Hot Street Trim, with the new acquired 29” 10.5 Mickey Thompson tire the Mustang saw its best performance to date going 8.55 @ 158mph. This was with a 1.22 60ft which is not the best 60ft to date, a 1.20 flat 60ft is currently the best. Additional testing resulted in similar results, with more being left on the table. At the annual NMRA Bradenton, race Valden laid down the quickest pass in Hot Street History going a 8.44 @ 157 with only a 1.21 60ft. Shortly after Charlie Booze with Kuntz & Company Power, who is also an employer of many SAM graduates, ran an astonishing 8.41 @ 159 mph. This is great leaps from last year’s performance which was a best of 8.63. The SAM students have been hard at work in preparing the car for better performance throughout the year. From calculations taken the 8.3X range is not to far off with 160 + mph range. Look for us at NMRA/NMCA events in 2010 and follow the SAM team projects on NMRAracing.com and SAMracing.com.