A modern HO
Thoroughly enjoyed the article in Issue 135 on the ‘almost’ Falcon GT-HO. But surely to carry the badge the modern GT-HO would need to be what the original was – developed for the sole purpose of winning at Bathurst! It wasn’t about bragging rights for the most power on the street or fastest quarter mile times. And we still have a 6-hour production car race at the Mountain each year – the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour.
What would a modern GT-HO look like? It wouldn’t just be more horsepower, but lighter weight, reliability, cooling, braking, corner speed, tyre longevity. It would start off looking very similar to a GT with most differences under the skin (special ECU map, 7500 rpm redline, 400+kW, HO camshafts, race manifolds, bigger brakes).
So how would it play out?
Year 1 – Ford quietly develop the ‘HO’ Phase 5 and turn up at Bathurst with 3 homologated HO spec Falcons. They run at the front but get the camber and suspension settings wrong and all cars suffer tyre trouble. Best position is second.
Year 2 – Ford refine the car making subtle improvements (Phase 6), doing everything a little better. They win, taking first and second places.
Year 3 – Ford, go all out with more cooling, visible cold air
