AmericanThunder
Super Moderator
Cristian de la Fuente caught the track racing bug like most of the rest of us. Well, maybe not so much like everybody. In Fuente's case, it was landing a role in the 2001 feature film "Driven" with Sylvester Stallone about the Champ Car World Series.
The Chilean-born actor is a Shelby owner, and is awaiting delivery on a new Shelby 350R, which he intends to run on tracks on weekends he isn't shooting. Recently, though, he drove the 2014 GT against the 2015 GT on a track to see what he thought of the new pony. Before switching on the ignition, the Latin heartthrob who took his turn on Dancing With The Stars" was most curious about the change from solid-rear-axle to independent rear suspension, which he is used to on with his Shelby. "So much more forgiving on the bumps," says the actor who also starred in a Mexican television reprise of the 1970s show Starsky and Hutch, has had a recurring role on CSI Miami.
The choice to migrate the Mustang from solid-rear axle to independent rear suspension was controversial, but is getting rave reviews from the media and hardcore Mustang enthusiasts, including de la Fuente.
The 50th anniversary remake of the Mustang has different hard points and dimensions from the outgoing model to make it more track worthy, and even more enjoyable for road driving. The track width in the front is about 15 millimeters (0.6 inch) wider than the 2014. Track width in the back is about 70 millimeters (2.8 inches) wider. The sheet-metal went out 40 millimeters (1.6 inches), thus really pushing the wheels out. The roof is down 38 millimeters (1.5 inches). The hood is down 32 millimeters (1.3 inches). The deck-lid is down 70 millimeters (2.8 inches).
To make the IRS perform up to standard, Ford went to a double-ball-joint front suspension, which was a complete geometry change in the front end of the car. Engineers put a real sub-frame up front instead of cross-members as is the case in the 2014.
The new design and iconic 5.0 liter V8 produces 435 horsepower and 400 ft. lbs of torque. In order to film de la Fuente"s drive on the figure-8 track, a chase car with camera had to be fitted to keep up with him. Turns out the best vehicle for the task was another 2015 Mustang GT. "It's an experience you don't want to end," says de la Fuente.
He felt the same about making Driven. "Working with Sly [Stallone] on "Driven" was incredible because I grew up watching "Rocky," so it was great to finally meet and work with him." Driven was de la Fuente" first big role and the first time he saw himself on a big screen. "Learning how to drive an Indy car was a unique experience, and on lunch breaks, Sly and I raced the cars for fun... After years of working, it's still the best job I've had because I was able to mix two passions: acting and cars."
