This is the start of something totally cool. Ford Racing has announced the creation of the Cobra Jet Showdown, a heads up drag race amongst the owners of 2008-2012 Mustang Cobra Jets. Much like the Mopar Hemi Shootouts, this event will be a no holds barred slugfest amongst the quickest and fastest factory drag race cars ever produced. 

There will be two classes, the first for cars with the “small” 2.3L blower and the second a class for the big boy 4.0L blower cars. At the end of the event, there will be a handicapped start (based on their best elapsed times) run against the winning small blower car and the winning large blower car. The winner of that race will be crowned “King of the Cobra Jets”.

This will be the first time that these cars will be assembled at the track and run against each other in dedicated eliminators. Since the Tascas have committed to showing up with their multiple CJs, we’re guessing that Brent Hajeck and the rest of the CJ heavies from across the country will be on hand to thump each other!

We can’t guarantee it, but BangShift is going to do our damnedest to be there to cover this one!

Here’s the full release from Ford Racing!

The NMCA Flowmaster Muscle Car Nationals is proud to announce a special event to be run in conjunction with the 5th Annual JE Pistons NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, at Milan Dragway in Milan, Michigan, August 26th-28th, 2011. The Ford Racing Performance Parts Cobra Jet Showdown will feature two separate classes – one for Cobra Jets utilizing the 2.3-liter supercharger or 428cid naturally aspirated engines and one for the 4.0-liter supercharger (essentially running under NHRA Stock and Super Stock rules, respectively) – which will be run heads up until a winner in each class is determined. Once each individual winner is crowned, there will be a handicapped start (based on the quickest time for each individual competitor) Showdown with no breakout to determine the King of the Cobra Jets.

“The Cobra Jet Showdown gives our owners an opportunity to experience what owning a Cobra Jet is all about. Even if you’re not the fastest Cobra Jet this is a great opportunity to learn about the car, get some seat time, and share your experiences with the other owners as well as the Ford staff that engineered and produced the Cobra Jets,” said George Goddu, Manager, Ford Racing Performance Group. “It’s a truly unique opportunity no Cobra Jet owner should miss.”

The class will qualify on Friday, and run on a Sportsman ladder with a .500 full tree for Saturday eliminations. Each class will feature a $2,400 purse and the overall winner of the Showdown will receive an additional $2,000. Car and driver entry into the FRPP Cobra Jet Showdown is available free, compliments of NMCA and Ford Racing.

2.3L Supercharged Purses:       4.0L Supercharged Purses:
Winner: $1,100                         Winner: $1,100
Runner-Up: $500                       Runner-Up: $500
Semis: $200                             Semis: $200
Quarters: $100                         Quarters: $100

The winner of each class will race each other and the overall winner will receive a bonus $2,000 cash prize courtesy of Ford Racing. 

Top Fuel Funny Car racer Bob Tasca III will be present as the Grand Marshall of the Cobra Jet Showdown, and the Tasca family’s Cobra Jets will be competing in the Shootout!