Originally Posted by SVTP

Ever stumble across something that you're not sure you're supposed to have? Well that's the situation I recently found myself in. A few weeks ago I sent a request to Ford for some footage of the 2013-14 (we're not sure which, not that it makes a difference) SVT Shelby GT500 testing at various tracks. I had planned on putting together a little montage video of the baddest Mustang produced to date. SVT and Ford has always been very accommodating with our media and information requests, and this was no different. However, once the thumb-drive arrived things got really interesting.

Mixed in with the various clips from the various tracks was one that stood out; a full all-out test lap from The Nürburgring. As far as I know, Ford has not released any official 'Ring lap times or footage for the GT500. I have a feeling that this video file may have been included erroneously, but Ford did say I could use everything on the drive. So that leads us to the video above.

I trimmed a little off each end of the file and added a timer. I based the starting and ending points from conversations I've had with various "'Ring-Run Experts". It appears that most timed laps begin at the exit of pit row and ends at the first white stripe after the gantry. That description may sound a bit vague, but it'll all become clear once you watch the video.

By my rough calculations, which are no replacement for proper vBox data, the 2013-14 GT500 ran its 'Ring lap in a bit less than 7:40. Not only is that very impressive; but it also bests the SVT's chief rival, the Chevy Camaro ZL1's 7:41. In fact; it's just a few tics behind GM's purpose-built stripped-out track-car , the Camaro Z/28 and its 7:37.5. However, this is where things get very interesting. While there's really no such thing as an "official" lap time at The Nürburgring, if GM was trying to use the same starting and ending points as most it appears that Chevy may have fudged their numbers ever-so-slightly.

In doing my research on the timing points I took a frame by frame look at GM's Camaro videos. I noticed that with the ZL1 they appeared to start the clock ~6 frames late, but with the Z/28 they stopped the clock ~11 frames early. Both of these instances shaved less than 0.5 seconds off the lap time. Still, I thought it was worth noting. However; as I stated before; producing manufacturer backed 'Ring times is not an exact science, nor are my video based calculations:

Originally Posted by alex70olds (Post 7138935)

Seems a little fishy.

Originally Posted by mlee (Post 7138946)

to be exptected from that particular SVT site

Originally Posted by mlee (Post 7138933)

LMAO... too late... now we have the Z/28...:sm0:

Originally Posted by alex70olds (Post 7138966)

Yeah, he added the timer and miraculously got a 7:40? And who knows if it was even stock? I guess I am just skeptical naturally lol.