Let's Talk Cars, Motorcycles and Other Life-Changing Events

Tag: Drive

First Drive of My New Ford GT: Palomar Mountain

It took awhile to get my 2019 Ford GT Carbon Series fully wrapped in paint-protection film, but when it was done I had an easy first drive target: Palomar Mountain.

2019 Ford GT Carbon Series Palomar Front

The sun was still shining when I first got to the top of Palomar Mountain

Palomar Mountain is about 80 miles from my house, and depending on the time of day and the day of the week it can be a pain to get there. But the new Ford GT is a very capable track car, which means the only way to really enjoy it on public roads is to find that magic combination of twisty asphalt and minimal traffic. I’ve taken other highly capable cars on this route, making Palomar Mountain an obvious choice on my first free weekend with my new Ford GT.

2019 Ford GT Carbon Series Palomar Clouds

The images I captured on Palomar Mountain might be the best I’ll ever get of my Ford GT

The route includes a stretch on Ortega Highway in south Orange County, another potentially worthy road for a Ford GT. But traffic is almost always an issue on Ortega Highway, creating a difficult (though not impossible…) opportunity to exercise the GT. After Ortega highway it’s down through Lake Elsinore, onto the southbound 15 freeway and then exiting at California route 76 going east. Most of this drive has great scenery, but the real fun doesn’t happen until arriving at the base of Palomar Mountain.

Ford Race Driver Billy Johnson Drives My 2005 Ford GT

2005 Ford GT Billy Johnson Karl

Ford race driver Billy Johnson drove my 2005 Ford GT during the new Ford GT press launch

One unexpected occurrence during the new Ford GT press launch was having Ford factory race driver, and lead Ford GT development driver, Billy Johnson drive my 2005 Ford GT. Billy had never driven a 2005 or 2006 Ford GT before the event, and when I heard that I was anxious to have him drive mine. The second-generation Ford GT remains one of the best-driving cars of all time, and I wanted Billy Johnson to experience it.

Ford GT Memorial Proves You Need to Drive Them

2006 Ford GT Memorial

Two Ford GTs bracket a Porsche 911 Turbo S during a memorial

April 2013: Ford GTs Headline a Memorial

What do you do if you have a mint condition, sub-300-mile 2006 Ford GT and you don’t want to drive it? If you’re a Brentwood resident with sufficient space and funds you get a second 2006 Ford GT so you can have a driver to enjoy while leaving your first, low-mileage GT safely in the garage.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén