A Stick Shift Mustang Gets Some Upgrades for More Pop and Bang in 2024, Including an Appearance on Sick Week
After a storied 2023 that included a second-place finish in the Stick Shift class at Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes, as well as qualifying for World Cup Finals Import vs Domestic event in Stick Shift, Bryan Crane is getting winter upgrades ready to go for 2024.
“I finally found some motivation to get back out in the garage and plug away at a few things,” said Bryan. “Main focus was getting the car winterized. I have a few other things on my list I’d like to accomplish, but with tight funds and Sick Week 2024 lurking, I have to be selective on what I should or shouldn’t tackle right now.”
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Bryan’s 2003 Mustang Cobra put together an 8.73 average at Sick Summer, and then rolled to Maryland for the recent World Cup Finals looking to improve on his best pass of 7.96. “The temps made it difficult on everyone,” said Bryan. “It’s a huge event and trying to keep the track pristine for everyone barring all the oil downs and wrecks is difficult. The team there did the best they could.”
In addition to air and track challenges, Bryan was trying to get the most out of his car without much test time. “We weren’t able to get out and get a solid test session in before World Cup, so our qualifiers were testing,” Bryan admitted. “That never seems to work out well for most.”
But, just like his Sick Summer experience, Bryan enjoyed the event for what it was. “Friends were here, and we qualified for the class,” Bryan said. “We improved our quarter-time to a 7.92 at 182 mph. Per usual, we struggled with the short track. We got enough trap speed to put it well into the 7-second range. Just need more time working on the 330-foot mark.”
Now, the prep work begins for Sick Week 2024 presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. “I got the rear shocks off the car to be sent in for a refresh / revalve,” said Bryan. “Also, I will be upgrading my standard parachute mount to one of Tim Flander’s MAF Racing launcher mounts. I’m really excited to increase the lifespan of the whole chute assembly and to simplify the packing process as well.”
Bryan will also bring another Mustang owner along with him for the jump seat during Sick Week: fellow gear jammer Dan Watts, who also participated on Sick Summer. “Mr. 1-3-4 Dan Watts will be my co-pilot for Sick Week,” said Bryan. “So, you know it’ll be a party. I’m really looking forward to more great memories and experiences. This is why I love the drag and drive stuff so much now.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Bryan Crane.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com