KATIE PITROFF CAR OWNER CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

HABU –2007 SHELBY GT500

YOU CAN NEVER BREAK THE SPIRIT OF A MUSTANG!

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

Habu came to me in November when my father passed away. My dad loved this car and the Mustang community. He had restored an El Camino but couldn’t find a group. Mustang owners know how to socialize and organize. Dad originally named it Skippy for “dang skippy.” After a rough day, he would go out with Skippy, step on the accelerator and say “Dang Skippy.” However, Skippy also came with another name, Habu. The habu is a poisonous snake in Japan and the nickname for the SR-71. Since I grew up in the Air Force in Okinawa, Habu has a special double meaning for me. I chose to call my car Habu. Shelby is a snake, Habu is a snake. The name works.

If you asked me if I thought I’d be writing an article for STANG Magazine for my car this time last year I would’ve said no. If you asked me if I would be writing it about a different car than the 2005 Roush Mustang I had I would’ve said hell no. I loved that car but acquiring this one reinvigorated my passion for car shows and events!

Over the past few months Habu has provided a huge learning curve. If you have never driven a stick shift supercharged sports car, give it a try. He is SO fun. This engine is strong and fast. Habu has a deep rumble but with the sweet humm of a supercharge. You can definitely hear this car coming. Going around the Puget Sound curves provides an excellent opportunity to practice holding Habu in check while allowing him to rumble. He likes to kick to the side if you are not careful. You can never break the spirit of a Mustang!

Mods include Ceramic Performance clutch, Powerstop Extreme Performance ceramic brake pads,Classic Design’s sequential tail light kit, Borla touring axle back exhaust, and Speed Form side scoops.

I met Daniel Ramey at a Beltway Mustang show and won my spot with STANG Magazine in their Carlisle Ford Nationals display. Needless to say I wasn’t sure what to expect being that I didn’t know the people attending and was going by myself.

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in