The annual Camp Steeda / SVT Owners Association (SVTOA) event at the historic Sebring International Raceway was once again a tremendous success. This year's attendance set yet another record as Ford performance enthusiasts from around the country were on hand for the event. With access to the famous 3.7 mile full race circuit for a complete two day period, Ford and Steeda enthusiasts had time to test their vehicles, evaluate a variety of Steeda Q Series vehicles, and also see the latest performance product offerings from Steeda Autosports that are indeed - track tested and perfected!
The event began on Friday evening with a Steeda Autosports Press Conference where editors from Mustang Enthusiasts, Mustang Times, Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords, 5.0 Mustangs & Superfords, and Mustang Monthly saw an update on the Steeda Autosports expansion in Valdosta, Georgia and the debut of the newest Steeda Q Series vehicle - the Steeda GT500 (also see our separate News Announcement on this vehicle).
On Saturday, with perfect weather conditions forecasted for the entire weekend, participants had the options of driving their cars on the track, receiving personalized one-on-one instructions from Steeda and SVTOA instructors, or checking out other enthusiasts vehicles - in other words, a perfect weekend for true performance gearheads!
Nitto Tire had a series of their performance tires mounted on Steeda Ultra-lite wheels for enthusiasts to "test drive" around the racetrack. Enthusiasts just had to pull their vehicle to the Nitto race truck support area where the "pit crew" swapped tires/wheels and set drivers on their way. The results were unanimous -- Nitto Tires and Steeda have the perfect wheel and tire combinations for the Ford performance enthusiast. Our wheel and tire packages are truly tuned to maximize performance !
All weekend Motor Trend was on hand driving and documenting the performance attributes of Steeda Autosport Q-Series Vehicles, historic Steeda race cars, and the new Steeda prepared Ford Fusion. John Kiewicz (Motor Trend Editor) was ecstatic when he came into the pits after some seat time in the Steeda Q335. He was overheard saying enthusiastically that the Q335 was one of the best handling and performing vehicles he has EVER driven...perfect manners and UNBELIEVABLE road grip. To induce oversteer in a hard corner all he had to do was "blip" the throttle and the result was complete and predictable control. There is no doubt that the famous Steeda G-Trac suspension tuned suspension system and our engine performance upgrades were working in harmony to deliver the best possible performance for the dollar !
At the Saturday evening Sports Banquet, sponsored by Mustang Enthusiast Magazine, a special guest of honor, Jamal Hameedi (Ford Motor Company's SVT Chief Nameplate Engineer), was on hand to reassure everyone that SVT is alive and well and that they are currently working on future products for the performance enthusiast. Jamal was also seen all weekend driving many Steeda vehicles both old and new and connecting with the SVT/Steeda enthusiasts.
Sunday was another full day at the track where more testing and vehicle evulations were completed before everyone pack up and called it a successful weekend. Camp Steeda / SVTOA Open Track - Sebring is just one of the many SVTOA events scheduled this season. We encourage you to check out www.svtoa.com and www.steeda.com for additional information on future events.
And remember: Speed Matters!