WHAT A SHOW

DOUG SMITH

One of my personal favorites was the Project Freedom Mustang from Cassar Performance. I got to spend some time with Kevin Cassar, founder and CEO of Cassar Performance, and go over the Project Freedom Mustang from top to bottom. It is a really impressive piece of machinery to say the least. A 2021 California Special beefed up as a tribute to the 1968 California Special. Pushing over 500HP on a naturally aspirated Coyote, full suspension upgrade, monster brakes, and anything else they could squeeze into this thing, they squeezed in. And I don’t mean to brag or anything, but I was the first person outside of the Cassar Performance Team to actually sit in the car, so you know, there’s that!

Another very cool car that we had the opportunity to see in detail is now kind of bittersweet. Dan Block’s 1400HP Hoonicorn V2 Mustang. Like many of you, I’d seen it in videos, promotions, and things like that, but this was my first hands on experience with it. The thing is an absolute mon - ster. Twin turbos pushing a Roush/Yates 410 cubic inch motor, and throwing down over 1,200 foot pounds of torque, it’ll get up and go. With the front splitter, wide body panels and low stance, the profile and shapes on this Mustang are staggering. As we all know, sadly, Ken Block passed away in a snowmobiling accident in January of this year. A true loss for the sport of professional rally driving and Mustang enthusiasts alike.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would have to give SEMA 2022 an 11. It was yet another great event that I am fortunate enough to have been able to attend. And honestly, I didn’t have the time to see it all! There is something there for anyone and everyone. We’re looking forward to attending again this year in 2023 and am anxious to see if they can outdo themselves yet again!

PHOTO CRED: DOUG SMITH