Today SPEED announced that it’s giving away the most significant sweepstakes prize in Hagerty Fantasy Bid history – a one-of-a-kind Ford Racing Champions Shelby GT500 Special Edition Mustang. It’s set to be awarded as part of the networks nearly 40 hours of live coverage from the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Scottsdale (Ariz.) Auction, which starts Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
The game and sweepstakes officially begin Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, and are among the many interactive opportunities available throughout the multi-day broadcast. Back in 2005, 66,800 total fantasy bids were tallied in that initial game. Last season, nearly 700,000 (699,200) fantasy bids represented a high-water mark of participation in the series of record-setting, year-over-year growth numbers that first exploded in 2009. Entering the Mustang sweepstakes is easy, anytime a contestant makes a fantasy bid during the Hagerty Fantasy Bid Game (sign-up details below), they are automatically entered into the drawing.
“What more could you ask than winning a ‘one-of-one’ Shelby GT500 Special Edition Mustang,” said Rick Miner, SPEED Senior VP of Production, Network Operations & Executive Producer. “What is Barrett-Jackson all about if not one of one? Not only is this a dominating street machine, but like any rare vehicle – especially a one-of-a-kind offering – it’s the pinnacle of what people seek out in car collecting.”
This is a special Mustang by any standard, as 2011 Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne and 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. were among those who collaborated on the build – an autographed plaque signifies their involvement. A Ford Racing Supercharger kit boosts an already robust factory installed 5.4-liter V8 engine from 550 to 750 horsepower, and a six-speed manual transmission delivers the power smoothly to the rear wheels. A new intense-environment C&R Racing cooling system, a 3.5-inch aluminum drive shaft; various exterior aero and appearance upgrades also focus an overall appeal. Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) also added its high-performance handling pack that includes Dynamic Suspensions front-and-rear adjustable shocks, lowering springs – dropping the overall ride height by 1.25 inches – and front-rear stabilizer bars. The extra power required an upgraded Wilwood brakes package featuring 14-inch drilled, slotted rotors and six-piston forged billet calipers on the front, and 12-inch rotors and four-piston forged billet calipers at the rear.
