The Mule spotted at Thunderhill this weekend

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by streetfytr68

Un--freakin--real! It would be nice to hear some lap times as compared to other cars like the GT3 or even the V-twizzy Benz. I've driven an SL65 and those cars accelerate faster than my synapse-challenged brain can process data. I can only imagine how the Mule runs. Can you guesstimate the output at 8lbs of boost?

I can't wait for the conspiracy theorists to chime in: "That car? No way! It's too expensive. Ain't no way it made it saw track time. The pix must be photochopped."

Thank you for the pix.

p.s. Frank, when you grow up it's better to be Stielow. He still gets to enjoy the Mule without having to wait on line at the D.M.V.

Couldn't compare that day as there was always a lot of cars on the track at the same time. He never got a single clean lap in either car. The GT-3 could not come close to keeping up with the Benz, and would not have hung with the Mule either as they were pretty close on overall lap times.

The turn we hit at 100 mph and 1 G lateral with the Mule we hit at 104 mph in the Benz. Even with stability turned off the car still retains some of the controls and definitely let us know it wasn't going to go faster through that turn. It was grabbing some brakes, etc. and you could feel it adjust to make sure the car stayed on track. Mark and I looked at each other and said that's as fast as it's gonna go here. The Mule may have been able to equal or best that speed on that turn as it felt like there was a bit more in it. But it made it effortlessly with no fuss, so no reason to push it to 10/10ths.

My butt-dyno of the Mule at 8 psi is about 700-750 HP. It flew at that boost but wasn't spinning the tires up high like it did at 12 psi. At 12 psi when you nailed it the car got "pissed off". Quite a thrill.

With the way Mark was all over the other cars through the turns with the two street cars and street rubber, it would have really been embarrassing if the cars had race rubber like most the other cars. The guy can drive.

Jody

[Ummgawa]

Originally Posted by camcojb

The guy can drive.

Jody

He can do alot of amazing things in an unassuming quiet nice guy sorta way. What a nice dude. Met him and his wife at Sandlin's gig and was really impressed and inspired by his humbleness. Getting some hot laps in the Mule with Mark at the wheel smokin' alot of 'stangs is a definate "marker" in a car guys life. Kinda like standin' next to Chezoom for me. And seeing the Mule in person. And, well, getting to meet all the great guys I have met here and singing "Kum by Yah" with the lot of you at SEMA in 2005. (if you know what I mean )

I'm sure you recognise that Jody...I sure do.

[clill]

Don't anyone go thinking the Mule or the SL65 is a faster car than the GT3. I think most of the results are based on Marks driving ability. Kinda like Jeff Schwartz schooling everyone with his Caddy.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by clill

Don't anyone go thinking the Mule or the SL65 is a faster car than the GT3. I think most of the results are based on Marks driving ability. Kinda like Jeff Schwartz schooling everyone with his Caddy.

True dat!

[ProStreet R/T]

Even at that 700hp level you don't think it could hang with a GT2 or GT3 car? I bet it would be closer than you think.

[clill]

In the SL65 Mark entered turn one at 128 mph at 1.1 G
lateral .

[Damn True]

What were the lap times for the 65 and El Mule?

I have a list of the lap records for various SCCA classes. It would be an interesting to see what class of "real race car" the 65 and the Mule compare to.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by clill

In the SL65 Mark entered turn one at 128 mph at 1.1 G
lateral .

Should have gone for a ride Charley! Don't know what you missed.

Jody

[69rs]

To ride in the Mule, with Mark driving, has to rank way up on the "most fun things to do" list!! Awesome!