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2016 Mustang Week Schedule
Tuesday (July 19, 2016)
- Meet ‘n Greet — New Location – Myrtle Beach Convention Center
- BFGoodrich Autocross Driving School — Myrtle Beach Speedway
Wednesday (July 20, 2016)
- BFGoodrich Track Day 1 at Myrtle Beach Speedway
- SVTPerformance.com Burn-out Contest
Thursday (July 21, 2016)
- BFGoodrich Track Day 2 at Myrtle Beach Speedway
- Dyno Challenge – Myrtle Beach Mall
- Mickey Thompson Drag Night – Darlington Dragway
Friday (July 22, 2016)
- 15th Annual Mustang Week Car Show sponsored by LatemodelRestoration.com – Myrtle Beach Mall
Saturday (July 23, 2016)
- East Coast’s Largest Mustang and SVT Cruise-In – Myrtle Beach Mall
In a week’s time, the average Mustang enthusiast can try their hand at many different ways to enjoy the hobby in a safe and controlled environment, walking away with an experience of a lifetime. Mustangs from every generation were represented in all arenas, making it an event ideal for spectators as well. This is what truly makes this week so special. If you’re looking to see the best of the best in the Mustang world, attending Mustang Week should be at the top of your priorities.
Meet and Greet
In traditional fashion, the meet and greet is the event that kicks off the festivities, officially commencing Mustang Week. This year, it was held at a new venue, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, in order to handle the growing capacity of the event. The atmosphere was electric, as thousands of Mustang enthusiasts poured into the parking lot for this all-day event, providing insight for the imminent success.
This Cervini’s Auto Designs sponsored S550, owned by Josh Hubbell, arrived to the meet and greet with the highly anticipated 4-inch cowl hood design. Driven all the way from Virginia and equipped with AXE EX30 20-inch wheels in candy root beer finish, tied together nicely with the upgraded brown leather Braum Racing Elite series seats.
This unique 2007 Shelby GT500 Terilingua tribute, owned by Jerome Gardner definitely caught the attention of everyone when it rolled into the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. This custom twin turbo beast built by Fastlane Motorsports in Benson, NC made 1,222 hp at the rear wheels on the dyno. Not bad for a street driven machine. Look for this Shelby running at half mile events here in the future.
This two toned multi-cam S550, owned by Steve Gelles from UPR Products, was a highlight of the meet and greet. Serving a dual purpose, this wrap was a subtle way for this Marine and Army veteran to pay tribute to his love of this country, all while setting his vehicle apart from the rest. For more information regarding this vehicle, be sure to check out StangTV’s recent article reviewing the Holley EFI Sniper Intake Manifold.
BFGoodrich Track Days and Fun Runs at Myrtle Beach Speedway
Thrill seekers attending Mustang Week were not left out when putting together this special event. Drivers of all skill levels comprised the autocross portion of this event, provided with an opportunity to learn the necessities of driving during an autocross event. Key teaching points included how to dissect the course, and effective trail braking techniques.
Pointers on when to accelerate, where drivers should take caution, and ways to get more out of your tires both efficiently and effectively were also keys to success. Following instruction, the drivers took on a course setup in the infield of Myrtle Beach speedway; pushing the limits of their vehicle, in a safe and controlled setting.
No stranger to autocross events, veteran driver Michael Clark, the owner of the Fox-body Mustang known as the “Trailer Park Queen” ripped through the course showing off the capabilities of his Maximum Motorsports suspension.
Enthusiasts with a need for speed were able to take their car onto the track for fun runs though out the day as well. Between the tire barriers set up on the straights, drivers went wide open throttle showing off both the performance and sound of their Mustangs for the onlookers in the stands.
Vaughn Gitten, Jr. and Justin Pawlak put on a show for the spectators throughout the day. Lucky attendees had the opportunity to ride along with these two brilliant drivers as they drifted the entirety of the track masterfully.
SVTPerformance.com Burn-out Contest
Held at Darlington Speedway, the burn out contest is always a crowd favorite each year during Mustang Week. With the stands packed, eager contestants/tire slayers lined up to prove their worth, in hopes of being crowned the champion of this spectator judged event. Living up to the hype, one by one drivers utilized the entire track; destroying their tires by doing donuts, making clouds, drifting, and absolutely shredding rubber. When the smoke cleared, there were two clear crowd favorites, both veterans of the event.
Thomas Jarrell, the reigning champion of this event, in his Pro Dyno sponsored Lightning came out swinging and was determined to keep his crown. In fact, he pushed the car so hard that the tires blew, and the engine lost compression putting an end to his attempt. At most burnout contests, this would be enough but this is what makes this event truly special.
In the end, Khion Kittle, a veteran to the contest, put on a clinic taking home the victory and a brand new set of drag radials. His primer painted, hoodless, 5.4-liter Navigator swapped SN95 Mustang embodied all that this contest represents. Khion didn’t stop until he heard them pop, and that is what it takes to get the crowd on your side when it comes down to judgement.
Dyno Challenge
Coined the “Battle at the Beach”, the dyno challenge is always a crowd favorite at Mustang Week. This event placed ten high horsepower Mustangs against each other to see who could make the highest number, in a winner-take-all format. Hundreds of spectators gathered around the Pro Dyno tent to watch as each Mustang made two runs to see how they stacked up against the field, and they didn’t disappoint.
This daily driven 2013 Mustang GT, owned by Eric Rockwell, put down an impressive 798 hp at the rear wheels. His modifications included a built engine, a Paxton Novi 2200SL supercharger with a 3.33-inch pulley, and a fuel system suited to run E85. We were very impressed to hear that this car made a 1,600 mile round trip in order to take part in this event. Truly a testament to the capabilities of the Coyote engine.
A veteran to NMRA events throughout the season in the Coyote Modified class, Johnny Lightning and his SCT sponsored Cobra Jet laid down a whopping 994 hp at the rear wheels.
In the end, Jeff Scofield, the owner of this Black 2014 Shelby GT500, turned the rollers to an astounding 1,231 hp at the rear wheels. Equipped with a 4.7L Kenne Bell Mammoth Supercharger, a built engine by MPR Racing Engines, a Spec clutch and flywheel, Magnaflow Competition 3-inch catback and many other goodies. It’s no surprise this monster of a Mustang took home the bragging rights and trophy at this year’s Battle at the Beach.
Mickey Thompson Drag Night
If you live your life a quarter mile at a time, this was the event for you to attend. Held at Darlington Dragway, hundreds of Mustang owners made the long haul the track to get their fix, 1320’ at a time. Cars of every power level made their way down the track, enjoying every moment of along the way.
Competition Automotive located in Spring Lake, North Carolina, brought the heat with their single turbo GT500. Having been 7.30 at 192 MPH in the quarter mile, this car was certainly a crowd favorite while making their exhibition passes during the event.
From veteran to rookie, all forms of enthusiasts lined up to make passes. This event is a great way to experience racing legally, in a controlled setting, allowing owners to push their vehicles to the brink all in the name of fun.
Equipped with VMP Performance Gen 2 Stage 3 supercharger setup, a Gibson Performance Exhaust catback, and drag radials, this S550 makes just over 700 hp at the rear wheels, and has been 9.96 at 139mph in the quarter mile.
One of the best parts of racing at the drag strip is heating up the tires in the form of a big smokey burnout. Many attendees proved to enjoy themselves thoroughly, smoking the competition in the process.
Car Show/Cruise-In
Held at Myrtle Beach Mall, the centerpiece of Mustang Week and what every Mustang enthusiast most looks forward to during the festivities comes in the form of a two day event – including both one of the largest Mustang Car shows and Cruise-ins on the east coast. With over 500 cars registered for the show alone, this event showcases anything you can dream of regarding the Ford Mustang.
Vehicles from ranging 1964 to 2016 represent a melting pot of styles; from stock survivors to highly modified machines, from nut and bolt restorations to daily drivers, Mustang Week provides spectators with a unique display that would make Henry Ford and Lee Iacocca proud.
Steve Bloomer, owner of this black 2015 Mustang GT, made the trip all the way from Pennsylvania to enjoy the event. Outfitted with a ProCharger centrifugal supercharger setup, Steeda Autosports Q-Series front fascia, and UPR Products suspension components, this S550 definitely stood out from the crowd amongst many beautiful builds.
Mustang Week hosts one of the largest displays of vendors for any car show in the country. Companies such as Cervini's Auto Design, Roush Performance, RideTech, Late Model Restoration, SCT, Mickey Thompson Tires, UPR Products, MGW, Fastlane Motorsports, and many others were in attendance. Additionally, in order to provide the utmost support to their customers, VMP Performance was on site selling and installing its Gen II supercharger setups.
Several celebrities within the Mustang community were sure to make an appearance at this year’s Mustang Week. People such as Mike Murillo, David Patterson also known as “That Dude In Blue”, Alejandro Flores also known as “Yolo”, and the Rovos girls engaged with their many fans during the event.
We couldn’t help but notice the volume of beautiful Classic Mustangs that showed up for this year’s event. Here are just a few of the many jaw dropping examples spotted throughout the parking lot.
Several Mustang clubs such as the Grabber Blue Mustang Registry made the trip as a group. With more than 1,100 total registered members worldwide – and over 30 members in attendance for the event – the Grabber Blue Mustang Registry had a strong showing at this year’s Mustang Week.
Known by many as the east coast’s largest Mustang cruise-in, the conclusion of Mustang Week supplies spectators a seemingly endless wave of Mustangs congregating at Myrtle Beach Mall. Events such as the 'Fox Body Cruise' have developed as a result. This event has grown over the years, requiring a cruise permit and four police officers to help with traffic. This year, the 10 year anniversary of the cruise, drew 155 Fox bodies. Each owner involved in the cruise donates five dollars, and the money raised is given to charity.
You never know what you'll see at Mustang Week. After the awards announcements on Saturday, Mustang matrimony was performed. Amy Dobbins and Bobby Hawkinberry met 16 years ago and have been together for nine years. Both Mustang enthusiasts, they often joked about how cool it would be to get married walking down aisles of Mustangs during Mustang Week. Thanks to the Mustang Week staff and with a little help from the guys at SCT, this dream was made a reality. With Amy's father walking her down the isle, their son and daughter playing the roles of ring bearer and flower girl, and Mustangs as far as the eye could see, this wedding was all they could ever dream of. Congratulations Bobby and Amy. Best wishes from the StangTV staff. Photo courtesy Chuck Brooks/1320photography.com
Overall, the 15th Anniversary of this event was fantastic in every way, hosting so many amazing Mustangs from all over the country. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and Mustang Week is no exception to this rule.
Now, all we can do is await announcement of the 2017 Mustang Week dates and dream of the future good times to be had in the summer sun. Below you will find a gallery as a throwback to covering all of the official events put on during the 2016 Mustang Week event. We hope you enjoy them and look forward to coming back next year.
