First Mustang Club Of Germany 1964 - 1973 e.V.
Historic Motorsport

2002, Updated 16.06.10

Speed Guys and Race Horses
Mustang Racing at the Nürburgring

By Wolfgang Kohrn (copyright `99)

Mustangs were never built to root on the floor or being crawled under by show judges, although some of you might not agree directly with the last statement. Think again about Fords intention at that time. Yes, indeed they were meant to be driven or let's say ridden. Have you ridden your Pony lately?

Real Mustangs even like to be taken out for a horserace, which is the main difference to a "pony". Now you probably got the picture.

Mustangs ever played a major role in racing and also in Europe started very early at the Tour de France 1964, finishing first, second and third place in their class. These days vintage racing has become again a popular event amongst car enthusiasts, not only for people remembering the heydays of their automobile passion history.

One major event in Germany is the AVD Oldtimer Grand-Prix and coming back to horseraces it pretty much resembles in some areas the well known Ascot horserace, if you look at the various auction houses like Brooks, Coys and others, and the various VIP only tents with lots of security guards locking out "normal" visitors. The club area as well has been diminished and is now used only for an alibi function to keep a smile on the back head of the organizers for those clubs, which supported the initial start-up of this event some years ago. Only those clubs backed up by the big car manufacturers like in 98 Alfa and Chrysler, Porsche and GM (Corvette Club Hessen) got a reasonable area for their presentation within the Motodrom within short distance from the pits area.

And Ford ? Nothing. In fact it conflicts with their policy of awarding old car owners 1500$, if they crush their cars and buy a new Ford. So you won't ever see an official Ford presentation at vintage racing or other events at least not until some officials are brain-washed.

The best time to get close to the many vintage Mustang racers at the AVD Oldtimer Grand Prix is the Friday during the training session, because there is only one training time slot for them, but they have to install their tents and pits on Thursday already. This allows you ample time to get in touch with the drivers, while they are not yet too busy. Plus watching technical inspection procedures and mechanics getting a Mustang ready for racing will award you with more insight. I was really surprised how friendly the racing teams welcomed us and we got an insight into Mustang racing in Germany and Europe as well. Read on for further details.

1. Motorclub Laakirchen (D)
Driver Erwin Derichs/Wolfgang Schachinger

9.00 a.m. - The Shelby from Erwin Derichs team (SFM5S354) is staged before the DEKRA-technical inspection hall. Every participant has to get through this inspection to be allowed to enter the circuit. Before the Shelby a Jaguar is just lifted up and the owner listens just scared to the comments of the inspector. An incorrect tie rod is not accepted and the racer starts disputing with the inspector. After some minutes the white-shirted chief inspector approaches and finishes the case harshly. No approval - no discussion - the Jaguar is not allowed to go on the track, if there is no change. At the next inspection pit, a dutch lady also is very angry about not getting an approval. Having driven hours and spent month of preparing and now getting no approval is a tough time for racers - but it doesn't help. Safety is ranked very high - in the end also other drivers lives are concerned. There is no discussion possible, wether a part might still be good for one or two races. Later that day a GT-classed racing car lost one of its rear axis - but fortunately just went into the gravel without touching any other. Anyway these things can still happen despite the rigid inspection, but it proofs the necessity of close attention.

Erwin Derich passed inspection without any claim, of course, because he is a professional racer and his shop and race team is backing up not only his several vintage racers, but also other teams. Erwin cares for a lot of the mainly private race teams, as well, therefore he was also busy on the Friday. A complete and well equipped tools, tires and parts truck is with him and many a driver passes by with a broken part to get a replacement item or just an advice or help, how to repair it. Erwin takes his time for everybody and any car and he even found time in this hectic surrounding to explain his special Mustang relationship to us.

Erwin Derichs entered rallye, circle track, hillclimbing and slalom races already since 1966. He started his career as the chief mechanic of Rolf Stommelen in the Formula 3 and today is a well-known race driver and professional race shop owner. His latest aquisition and proud is a March 701 with a 3 litre Cosworth engine, which he also displayed at the 98 Oldtimer Grand-Prix event.

Mustangs entered Erwins life rather late after his initial dedication towards Abarth and Maserati cars as well as 4 different Lotus Cortina cars, which he raced. But lets listen to what Erwin told us: " I was at that time in close contact to an American guy and we often talked about Mustangs. In 1988 he called me one day and said `Hey Erwin, didn't you tell me that you are keen on racing a Mustang. I've just got four of them in my stable. Shall I send them?`Well, I asked him to send only one for the moment and it was the Shelby GT350 I still own today, the VIN is SFM5S354. This is the story of how I came across Mustangs. Later the other Hardtop joined our team. Besides, both cars were in a status that requested a lot of work to be done, but as we had to completely disassemble them and carry out necessary modifications, it did not matter a lot.

With the Shelby we enter the GT class and the Hardtop is approved for the touring car class. You may know that these are the same classes Mustangs were approved for back then in the 60ies. You cannot enter the Shelby Fastback in the touring car class. With the Hardtop we still encounter problems with the maximum weight of 1200kg, it still has 5kg too much."

Even the hood and trunk lid enforcements had been drilled by Erwin to save weight, a detail that caused headaches for me, but somehow must differentiate fine-weather-cruisers from professional racers. The engine of the Hardtop - a basically stock 289 - is not allowed to be modified very much. Indeed even roller rockers are not accepted, the stock items must be in. Headers are not accepted and the distributor has to have standard contacts under its cap, no electronic ignition upgrades! This hurts - especially for higher rpms as are necessary for racing that mill. A Holley carburetor and a slightly modified intake as well as another cam are the only items, where inspectors do not disagree. "But what are these modifications worth, if you get the air in, but not out." said Erwin. " We can also alter the rear axles gear ratio according to the race circuits, the suspension modifications are limited to stiffer shocks and springs as well as added leafs in the rear. But other set-ups won't be accepted." Homologation laws are valid as they were back then. In the trunk of Erwins Mustang you'll find a 80 litre safety rubber trunk, enough fuel for long distance or endurement races, which are a favourite of most racers rather than short distance races.

Erwin Derichs team had some bad luck and had to go back to the pits after 8 laps and 17.52 min on the new Nuerburgring GP circuit. The fastest lap was done in 2.11.90 min and an average speed of 124,212 km/h. If you know the new Nuerburgring circuit, you know that this is a very excellent time and usually Erwin is amongst the first 3 only topped by the lightweight Falcon from Steve Perry.

The GT-class entered Shelby was more successful, but another racer finished first.

2. Rhein-Ruhr Racing Team (D)
Driver Rolf Kienen/Karl-Heinz Dahlemans/Ernst Jüntgen

Another Truck and tent - Driver Rolf Kienen

Rolf Kienen and his Rhein-Ruhr Racing team welcomed us as good old friends, although we met him for the first time personally.

"Come in, take a seat and have some cold drinks, guys"

Rolf Kienen and his friends rather look like some veterans having a nice time and no oil-splattered mechanics rushed between cars. Instead their Mustang was parked under the tent and the team members were sitting on their picnic lunch table enjoying the fine weather and watching the other team efforts to get their cars ready. Indeed these guys have come a long way in racing and have driven almost everything that appeared to be a race car. Another RHD Lotus Cortina was also parked under the tents roof. Rolf was not very enthusiastic about that car: " We brought this one with us just for some friends, who want to have a ride. You have to squeeze everything out of this car to be really fast, but in the end each lap is almost the same and it is really boring. I prefer the Mustang, because this horse has to be tamed all the time, each lap is different and the torque and peak power is what makes my life more thrilling." We did not disagree in any point. We asked him for the general performance of Mustang at the "Ring".

"Touring class Mustangs are good for time slips of 2.12 to 2.17min at the new short Nuerburgring GP circle track, while GT cars, to which the early Shelbys belong, are good for 1.55 - 2.05min time slips. To get an idea of the other classes, even Formula 1 high-tech racers just succeed to get around in 1.40 - 1.48 min. The 22,5km distance of the old famous Nuerburgring circle track was done usually in 11 to 12 minutes, some early Shelbys like SFM5R107 of Jochen Neerpasch or SFM 5R539, which I drove in 69 and 70, however finished the track in under 10 minutes. Yeah, in those good ol' times, it was really fun to race around the old 'Ring' and the spectators were really laughing at you, if you dared not to come with some leafs and other green stuff at the outboard mirror from the downhill section of Wehrseifen. Today everybody can drive real fast with their high-tech-racers, but at that time, boy, it was really different". A grin appeared on his face and you could see in his eyes that he just passed the cheering crowd in his roaring Shelby R-Model again.

Rolf Kienen was a race driver from 1962 to 1973, when he raced DKWs, BMW 1600, 2002, 1800TI/SA as well as Steyer Puchs. Then he bought together with Wolfgang Dietrich, the Kleber tire race team leader a SFM5R539 tagged Mustang Hardtop from Claude du Bois, the belgian Shelby dealer. Wether this was the real SFM 5R539 or the hardtop, that had been equipped with 5R539 components for one race only, is still a mystery. (see story of 5R539 on this site).  From 1973 to 1994 Rolf was not active in racing, but then re-entered the "club" with his long-time friend Ernst Juentgen.

"These days I drive on the full circle including the new GP-circuit (25,5km) about 11.36min best. At the 500km-race there were 2 courses, I finished 2nd in the first race, quite remarkable - as only 18 out of 85 participants saw the checkered flag. The second race I finished 1st mit 66 out of 182 crossing the finish line. The average speed was at 135km/h.

My best time on the short GP-circuit is 2.15min, my Mustang Hardtop has almost 300 HP on the rear wheels and the top speed is almost 250km/h with the right gear drive. Of course - at the Nuerburgring, we are using a much shorter gear ratio to get a good grip out of the turns. Alas we have no chance against the Falcons, that have almost 250kg less weight and are allowed to be much more modified than our Mustangs."

The Saturday race saw Rolf Kienen with a much better time slip of 2.11.30min, as the suspension and brake system had been improved a lot before the race. "Last year the Mustang did not react quite well to braking, it steered towards the gravel and green areas, but now it just goes, where we want it to go. We how have an average speed of 125km/h".

Rolf Kienen is a member of the Rhein-Ruhr-Racing-team with a total number of 90 members. The cars of his race team are financed by 2-3 people and that's why they like to participate in long distance races, because everybody can enter the car during one race.

Rolf today is just a "Driver-only" guy, he leaves the technical part of the job to those that know better. Guenter Olly Ohler is the Mustang engine builder he trusts in and the relaxes atmosphere in the tent was up to Olly, because nobody saw problems during the race. Olly even was not there, so he has trust in his job, as well.

The current Mustang is since 2 years in their stable and only once they experienced a problem with a broken transmission housing end, probably due to a vibration in the driveshaft.

Asked about the costs involved of such a hobby, Rolf was open to say: " These race cars are usually like a money bank. You always throw the money in the top slot, but nothing appears at the bottom. But joke aside, as we finance these cars with 2 or 3 people and our mechanics also contribute with their labour, we save a lot of money. We had to buy a transporter and tools truck, which we luckily can park at a friends home. Then we have a very good parts connection, but still spare engines, transmissions and other parts have to be on hand, when you need them. So we account for up to 50.000$ including the car. The participation fee at this event for example is 400$, other events request approx. 250$ depending on how much drivers participate. There are approximately 8-10 main HTWT-events (Vintage touring car trophy) a year. "

3. Sam Smart (UK)

The Fun driver - Sam Smart and his 65 Shelby SFM5S303

At the fist glance, Sam looked like an event visitor and in fact the second view confirmed the philosophy of this racer. He just wants to have fun in his very elegant black high glossy Shelby. Almost nobody would dare to use this perfect looking car in an 'elbow-using-race", but Sam does. He just drives behind the first crowd and thus does not get into trouble.

Backed up by the Uniclip Automotive ByFleet Racing Team from England he travels holidaywise to major event and even succeeded to finish 66 out of 212 at the Tour d'Auto 1998. He also joins a lot of club racing events in UK and even travelled to the Mustang Club of France event in Monthlery last year. Most FIA-races are visited by Sam and his last name "Smart" says that he is capable of still having fun and does not need to be so eager as some other race drivers. The Uniclip race team had some very hot irons with them like a lightweight Falcon and some really hot and original looking Cobras. Guess they were the real things. Thank you, smart Sam, he even posed for a photo beside his Shelby. Nice guy.

4. Franz-Josef Berg/Wieland Knaus (D)

Franz-Josef-Berg is a longtime private Mustang racer, as well, although his other race heart belongs to a Porsche 356. His yellow-blue Mustang is raced from Franz-Josef for 6 years in a row and was brought to ground with a slightly modified suspension and stiffer springs. Engine remained almost unchanged according to the FIA rules. He attended the OGP with 3 cars and relaxed in his chair during our visit, with his wife reading the pre-training results for him. We did not want to disturb him for too long, because he had a very busy weekend in front of him, racing all 3 cars. Unfortunately his Mustang failed in the 8th. Lap after 18.32 min with an average speed of 123,314km/h. Good luck for the next time, Franz.

5. EMS Racing Team /Ozren Kuzmanovic

Another Race Shelby SFM6S748

Former First Mustang Club of Germany member Ozren Kuzmanovicz was present as well, but his Shelby showed a "For sale" sign in the windshield. Ozren is heading the EMS American Classic Racing Team and organises incentive events for companies at race tracks with original american iron such as this Shelby or a vintage Corvette racer amongst others. They are also offering a "Rent-a-Racer" programm for ONS-licenced drivers and coordinate training courses for beginners starting a 800$ up to 1500$ depending on participants number.

When I asked a team member, he quoted a price of approx. 50.000$ for the car including all available spare engines and other parts. Ozren however quickly pointed out, that the sale is not really a concern. He is waiting for the right guy to get this pistol.

Ozren owns his Shelby since 1991 and the former owner was Bernd Schwebel since 1987. The car was already featured in a major german vintage car magazine and still looks decent in ist current shape. If you want a ready racer, contact Ozren and his EMS team at ++49 (0)711/879662 by fax or phone.

6. Patrick Quiniou/Bernard Peruch (France)

7. Joel Prim/Donny Wagner (Luxembourg)

8. The Danish Driver H. J. Krag

  This is the red Shelby G.T.350 from Hans-Jorgen Krag. We have got additional information from him, which will be uploaded in the far future:).

Another Mustang racer and toy is Ralf Webers 5T07C159520, a 65 hardtop, that succeeded in a row of races in 98 and 99. He is also a FMCOG club member and is currently trying to ease FIA regulations for Mustangs in Germany and european race events. He succeeded already to get those American racing style rim spoke wheels approved that were quite common on Shelbys in 65/66, as the FIA recently had regulated those curious general Minilites Wheels to be the only ones allowed.

With the help of Mr. FoMoCo (Allen Cross) via Internet we could also help him with further information on Falcon and Mustang homologation sheets and details of the T-10 and Super T-10 transmissions used in various kinds of Ford cars. Allen Cross has even the FIA papers of the '63 Monte Carlo Falcon, if you need this kind of support. We have also collected some information on Mustang homologation sheets, so if you racers out there need help, do not hesitate to contact us.

You are approaching the finishing line

Well guys, after you have followed our visit so long, you should have got a glimpse, of what a small talk with Speed Guys about Race Horses can gain for you. Lots of information and thrilling tidbits, that will widen your horizon. Don't you think you can have the same fun day, if you just walk in the tent at the next event and state to those guys, that you are a Mustanger as well. You can bet that most Mustangers have an open ear and will start telling you their story immediately, if you just treat them the right way and ask for their experience. That is what they really like to share and they have a lot of it. Never start with that you have a top notch 'stang that is really shakin world, because it is so clean, that you family is not allowed to touch it. You won't even hear a word from those "Horse whisperers". Talking about fuel in your blood lines, not shampoo and degreaser. Think about it next time, you go to your Pony. Try to get the real horse out of it.
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