Porsche 911 IROC vs Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 “Weslake”

Описание: I have loved racing with Philip Hoffman over many years at the SKOPE Classic.

Phil attended the MG Classic Whitakers meeting at Manfeild in 1999 as a spectator, with no intention of buying a car. But after watching the number 95 Shelby Mustang replica dominate both its races he ended his day as its new owner. Built in Tauranga, the car’s fabrication and presentation were world-class.

For the next 15 years he campaigned it in the Central Muscle Car series and South Island events, constantly chasing horsepower with multiple engine configurations. It was a front-runner until a heavy crash at the 2001 ‘V8 Supercar’ meeting at Pukekohe.

Owning this car has brought countless highlights: racing, winning the Sir Robert Stewart Memorial Trophy at the SKOPE Classic, and the unwavering support of my family, who have attended every SKOPE Classic with him for 26 years. Phil says that “the motorsport community, especially in the South Island, has treated me like royalty”. Does he have any regrets? “None”. Would he do it all again? “Hell yes!”

In 2003, a visit to Dan Gurney’s All American Racing led to Phil to acquiring three sets of rare Gurney Weslake cylinder heads. One set powers my Mustang today—mounted on a 366ci stroked 302ci Ford Motorsport race block, producing 520hp and 550 ft-lb of torque.