Tuning is set with an SCT programmer for the EEC V and an Innovate Motorsports wide-band O2 helps dial in those 36-pound squirters. With the '03 Cobra heat exchanger removing the torrid thermals from the liquid-to-air intercooler beneath the blower, power is bumped to about 390 effective and reliable ponies at the crank. On a road course, that's plenty stout, and it's strong enough to fend off those ever-dominant '03-'04 SVT Cobras. To keep things out of the red, a Ford Racing oil cooler kit with an MMR Racing oil pan keep oil temperatures in the happy zone.
As one of the most respected board members of the SVTOA, Vicky could not carry on as the western regional director without a car that looked stock. To make her Bright Atlantic Blue GT stand out, she decided to add functional and good-looking modifications. Eric Bayliss of Sierra Paint and Body of Santa Clarita, California, helped match and paint the ABC Exclusive SVO 3-inch cowl hood and GTR-V2 front bumper. This would match the Steeda rear spoiler perfectly and blend in well with the Classic Design Concepts lower rear valances. The black and blue motif was chosen for the beatings given to all those who have tried to pass Vicky. OK, we can't back that last one up, but it sounds cool, right?
With a custom four-point rollbar installed by Mike Howard of Impact Customs in Santa Clarita, the extra piece of mind goes a long way when you're cinched into the Cobra Daytona Sport seats by the Schroth Sport harnesses. The rollbar is also welded to the B-pillar for added stiffness and ties the rear shock towers together for greater structural strength. Eventually, a full cage and rear-seat delete will be installed for increased safety, albeit at the expense of streetability. But, as Vicky tells us, when the car becomes track-only, it will be a perfect excuse to pick up a new Shelby GT500.
It's not easy being the queen of the road course. It takes a lot of perseverance, guts, and a rock-solid car to make it happen. Luckily, Vicky has all three essentials, and we see her going far in her Mustang career. As she relates, "Being a woman in this industry is not easy, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to gain the respect of your colleagues."
Well, Vicky, you've certainly earned ours.