97-98 Cobra street/track

I am looking at 97-98 Cobras. I know these cars do well on a drag strip, but how about open track? I am in NorCal and curious if anyone took their Cobras to Infineon or Thunderhill Raceway. How does the car hang in with other populat track cars (Miatas, S2000, EVOs, BMW 3/M3...).

97-98 Cobra is a very attractive car to consider. Huge aftermarket, car is easy to work on, abundance of used affordable parts. Not a problem to make big horsepower in that car and keep it street legal. Modified mustang doesn't attract law's attention as much as a modded civic or other sport compact.

I am also considering 99-01 Cobra with IRS, which makes some difference I suppose.

Can Cobra turn without completely changing suspension to something like GR-40?

I've driven '95 5.0, while I liked the torque engine and that V8 rumble I wasn't shocked by it's ability to hug the road.

Thank you for the replys.


Went to the track this weekend, got a chance to watch NASA American Iron and American Iron eXtreme. Sure love the sound of those cars. It looks like a lot of cars employ grigg's racing GR-40 suspension system, it seems to get the job done.

I think when it comes to road racing, the name of the game is chassis. I saw a fox body mustang there, where radiator was mounted behind front axle and engine was sitting well under the dash board, practically in the cockpit.

Just out of curiosity, how does 96-98 Cobra compares with 2005+ GT acceleration wise.

I guess I've driven 1995 5.0L and my buddy just bought 2006 Mustang GT. I really like acceleration of new GT and I would think 98 Cobra would be in the same boat stock vs. stock.