Steeda Highlights and Milestones
1989 – 1991
Steeda Autosports worked hand in hand with Kraft Racing in the hotly contested IMSA Road Racing Series. We were the first Mustang Team to integrate rear disk brakes onto the car and proved their superiority during grueling race conditions.
1992
Steeda and Ford SVT Engineering work together in the development of the 1993 SVT Cobra R model brake system. The knowledgebase that we acquired in our racing program was cascaded to Ford. Working together we jointly developed a superior brake package that allowed the Cobra R program to be highly competitive in road racing applications.
1993
The 1993 Steeda Cobra R is the very first Cobra R to win a race in competition. This history making victory occurred at the grueling Sebring International Raceway and it represented to the world that Steeda prepared Mustang could be competitive on a world-class event.
Steeda and Ford SVT initiated joint collaboration together on the development of the 1995 Cobra R program. Taking the real race world knowledge that Steeda acquired with the 1993 Cobra R program campaign, Steeda various modifications and changes to the Mustang platform. In addition, Steeda collaborates on a special 21-gallon fuel cell for the Cobra R that enables it to be more competitive and successful in competitive racing conditions.
1994
Ford Engineering and Steeda work hand in hand together in the development and testing of various durometer bushings that are incorporated into various Ford vehicles high performance suspension systems.
1996
At the famed Daytona International Raceway, the Steeda Cobra R is the first Mustang to ever win a Pole Position in the professional IMSA GS Class competition – setting the stage for future good things to happen.
A Steeda Cobra R sets a new track record at the Daytona International Speedway in the inaugural IMSA endurance race that the Cobra R competed in. Once again proving that the Steeda performance parts and its race preparation program is a serious contender in this hotly contested race series.
At the Texas Motor Speedway, the Steeda Cobra R wins the first IMSA race for the Ford Mustang Team since Jerry Titus won at Daytona in 1968. The Steeda Cobra R performed flawlessly during the race and at the end of the grueling 6-hour endure it succeeded in lapping the field twice – a huge margin of victory. After the race, IMSA Officials impounded the top 5 Cobra R racecars for a post race inspection. This inspection was a complete “tear-down” of the cars because officials were suspecting them of making illegal modifications. After the reviews were completed, only the 1st Place winning Steeda Cobra R was found to be in complete compliance with all of the rules and it’s stunning victory was affirmed.
The Steeda Cobra R continued its winning record by winning it’s second IMSA GS race at Mosport Park, Ontario Canada. The Steeda Cobra R further proved its dominance of the entire field with this victory.
1997
The inaugural IMSA Series at the Daytona International Speedway was completely dominated by the Steeda Cobra R when it finished 1st Place in the GS Class. This victory further cemented the Steeda brand into Mustang racing history.
Ford Product Development Engineering selects the Steeda G-Trac suspension components for the Cobra 6.1 prototype that was built to showcase Mustangs high performance potential.
1998
A freshly prepared Steeda Q351 was highly successful in its first outing by winning the pole position, setting a new class record, leading the entire race, and finishing first overall.
2000
After many years of development and testing on and off the race track, the famed Steeda 5-Link Suspension System is brought to market revolutionizing Mustang suspension dynamics for its time.
Steeda is the first company in history to participate with Ford Motor Company on the Ford/SEMA Technology Transfer Program. This collaboration occurred when Steeda engaged with the initiative to develop Ford approved calibrations specifically designed for Steeda aftermarket performance applications that involved our cold air intakes and other proprietary performance modifications.
2002
The Steeda-enhanced, Schreiner Racing Cobra R takes the Grand-Am Cup Series Championship in 2002 proving that for the winning combination in Grand-Am racing you need to be relying on Steeda performance parts.
Steeda introduces the Q400R Mustang – the latest Steeda race-prepared Mustang. All of the Steeda race vehicles are critical in the evolution of the our production part program in that they allow us to test in actual race/competition conditions our production parts – further validating the performance and durability of our retail part program.
2003
At the famous Sebring International Raceway, the Steeda Q400R successfully wins the IMSA GS Class by over 2 seconds.
2004
At the Mustang 40th Anniversary Celebration in Nashville, TN, the Steeda Q400R wins the production class at the Celebrity Challenge Race. In a mixed field of tube-chassis race cars and production-based rides, it was Steeda Driving Instructor Charles Espenlaub who sprinted out to lead by half a lap when the green flag dropped. A true David meets Goliath story – the $30,000.00, modified street car out-gunning the purpose built all out racing machines with price tags close to ten times that amount!
At the SEMA Show, the 2005 Steeda Q400 has its inaugural debut in the Ford Corporate Display. Following the official Ford Motor Company Press Conference, the car and other competitive cars are driven outdoors to an adjoining track area and the Steeda Q500 driven by Boris Said essentially blows away the competition with its amazing track performance, forcing all other cars to be parked and watch.
2005
A "screaming yellow" Steeda Q-Series supercharged Mustang is prominently displayed in the Ford Division display at the prestigious 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit . Ford Motor Company Chairman Bill Ford poses with the car for some official auto show promotional pictures. A splendid endorsement of our ongoing performance enhancement efforts and further validation that the 2005 Steeda Q-Series is indeed worthy of a world class show display.
Steeda Autosports is the first performance vehicle manufacturer to get their ‘05 Mustang performance components approved for use in the 2005 Grand-Am Cup Series. This builds upon the winning tradition established by Steeda in the series, which saw the Steeda-enhanced, Schreiner Racing Cobra R take the Championship in 2002 and further solidifies that Steeda provides racers with the winning combination of performance enhancements.
Robin Burnett driving his brand new 2005 Steeda Q350R captured the pole position and went on to lead EVERY lap on his way to win in the American Iron Race Series inaugural race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. This resounding victory represented the first race where the newest generation 2005 Mustang accomplished the feat.
Steeda driver Tom Ellis wins the SCCA Southeast Division Sedan Championship.
Steeda supported driver Robin Burnett completes the 2005 American Iron Series with his Steeda equipped Q-Mustang. On his way to being crowned the reigning Regional Champion, the Steeda Autosports equipped Mustang won 12 poles out of the 13 races, captured 1st place 11 times, finished 2nd once, and had two Third Place finishes – a remarkable record for a new cars first season.
2006
In the SCCA National Run-Offs, ALL six Mustangs in the top positions are Steeda equipped.
Steeda Driver Ed Hosni becomes the SCCA Central Division American Sedan Champion driving his 1985 Steeda equipped Mustang.
On his way to capturing the SCCA Southeast Division Sedan Championship, Steeda driver Tom Ellis set a new class record at Road Atlanta and then backed it up with yet another class record at the famed Daytona International Speedway where he qualified for the pole position and knocked a full two seconds off the record.
Steeda driver Skip Smith becomes the NASA American Iron Regional Champion
Steeda driver Robin Burnett driving the most winning 2006 Mustang in the country, captured a total of seven pole positions and won the NASA American Iron Divisional Championship for the second consecutive time.
Every one of the six Mustangs that finished in the top ten in American Sedan race during the SCCA National Championship Run-Offs were equipped with Steeda Autosports performance parts.
2007
The Burnett Racing Team at the NASA season opener at Mid-Ohio set a new Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course American Iron (AI) lap record with a blistering time of 1:36.458 in his 2005 Steeda Autosports prepared Mustang.
Tom Ellis driving his Steeda prepared and equipped Mustang at the Daytona International Raceway’s 2.95 mile road course captured another 1st place win and set a new track record. He even lapped the 2nd place competitor before the checkered flag was finally his!
At the National Auto Sports Association (NASA) American Iron Race Robin Burnett (Burnett Racing) in his 2005 Steeda Mustang won two races, set a new track record. The final race had a perfect 1-2-3 finish for Steeda when Robin Burnett, Aaron Bambach, and Rob Brent were on the podium.
2008
Steeda Autosports breaks ground on a major corporate expansion with the acquisition of 25 acres of property and plans for a 100,000 sq.ft. Product Development, Manufacturing, and Parts Distribution Facility.
In Sports Car Club of America racing at the famed Road Atlanta 2.54-mile Grand Prix road course, Steeda equipped/prepared Mustangs swept the top three positions for an impressive domination of the American Sedan class racing. The road course with it’s 12 challenging turns and it’s famous “esses” places high demands on vehicle suspension systems – and the Steeda equipped Mustangs lived up to the challenge by providing yet another a 1-2-3 sweepwith Tom Ellis, Jason Von Kluge, and Bib Eubanks all on the podium!
Motor Trend Magazine evaluates the Steeda Q-Series Mustangs at the Sebring International Raceway. “….the Steeda Q335 just destroys a stock Mustang….”“….street friendly and fierce on the race track….”, track….”“….surprising amount of lateral of grip…”“….truckloads of supercharged power….” Those are just a few of the many enthusiastic comments that John Kiewicz, Senior Feature Editor of Motor Trend, had to say about the Steeda Q-Series of vehicles.
Steeda brings to market the Steeda’s Watt’s Linkage - the most technologically advanced and best performing suspension upgrade you can provide for your 2005 through 2008 Mustang.
Steeda Celebrates it’s 20 year Anniversary with a party and track event in Valdosta Florida.
Three time NMRA National Champion and World Street Challenge Champion John Urist has joined the Steeda Autosports racing stable.
At the 2008 SEMA Show, Steeda President Dario Orlando revealed the all-new 2009 Steeda Edge and reviewed it with Edsel Ford (Ford Motor Company Board Member).
2009
Steeda announces a revolutionary solution to the calibration dilemma: The Adaptive Performance Calibration.
Tom Ellis clinches the SCCA American Sedan South East Division Championship title for the 2009 racing season with his #51 Steeda prepared Mustang by winning 7 out of 8 races.
Steeda Autosports debuts the all new 2010 Steeda Q650 StreetFighter at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Incorporating all of the latest suspension advancements available, the Steeda Q650 StreetFighter set a new benchmark for Mustang performance in addition to its stunning appearance and standard features.
2010
Steeda Autosports and Ford Racing partnered up together to transform a 2011 Ford Fiesta into an ultimate street and track performance sedan. Debuted at the prestigious North American International Auto Show in the Ford Motor Company Corporate display, the Steeda Fiesta showcased a wide variety of specially developed performance parts and accessories.
Steeda Autosports, who in 2007 achieved the ISO 9001:2000 Certification by developing a Quality Management System (QMS) that is fully registered with the strict International ISO Standard of Quality, has been officially re-certified as being in full compliance with the most prestigious ISO 9001:2008 standards and requirements.
Results of the 2010 Racing Season are in and while there are literally untold thousands of competitors using our parts any given weekend at the race track and drag strip, and hundreds of thousands of street performance enthusiasts that rely on us from corner to corner and stop light to stop light, we once again would like to congratulate a few of our drivers and teams that have done exceptionally well this season by being champions in their respective series, including: James Ray – 2010 Camaro –Mustang Challenge Champion, Tom Ellis – 5 time SCCA American Sedan Champion, Robin Burnett – American Iron Champion, John Urist – NMRA Super Street Outlaw Champion, and Jason vonKluge Mustang Challenge Champion.
2011
At the 2011 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour the Steeda Q650 made an impromptu appearance when it came into Valdosta Georgia.
When Ford Motor Company set out to create a unique one-of-a-kind “Blue Angels” edition 2012 Ford Mustang GT, they selected the Steeda Watt’s Link Suspension to provide the crisp handling and responsiveness that the Blue Angels have been noted for.
In the Camaro-Mustang Challenge Racing 2 Series (CMC2), the forum where newer model V-8 powered Mustangs and Camaros come together and race in a highly competitive series, Steeda driver Anders Sjoblom won the national championship driving a completely Street Legal Steeda Mustang.
Steeda sponsored driver John Urist won the NMRA Super Street Outlaw Series Championship for 2011 in a blistering final race at the World Championship Finals in Bowling Green Kentucky.
2012
Steeda Autosports was actively involved in the negotiations with the Ford Motor Company Octane Academy driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Nitto Tire – ensuring his much-needed ongoing tire sponsorship for the Formula Drift Series.
The SCCA American Sedan Race Series is comprised of 302 and 305 CID V8 powered Mustangs, Camaros, and Firebirds and is sometimes referred to as the Super Bowl of production based vehicle racing because of the intense competition, the grass roots nature of the series and the ensuing championship run-offs. This year, the Steeda sponsored and equipped 1985 Mustang owned and driven by Ed Hosni of Galloway Ohio captured the 2012 SCCA National Championship.
Competing in the 2012 Camaro-Mustang Challenge Racing Series (CMC), Chris Ferraro had a remarkable PERFECT season. He qualified on the pole in every race… finished in first place in every race he competed in…holds the track records at every track he raced on this season and he won the CMC National Championship – and he did it with his Steeda Autosports equipped 2005 Mustang GT.
Steeda introduces the Steeda Boss 302 Laguna Seca at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas in the Nitto Tire Booth. Taking the best handling Mustang ever made by Ford Motor Company, we made it substantially better by seriously upgrading the stock suspension package with a full compliment of Steeda G-Trac components.
2013
A Steeda equipped 2013 GT500 was the very first GT500 to crack into the nine-second zone with a 9.95/142 mph on the stock supercharger. With some additional modifications, the Steeda equipped car has gone as quick as 9.65/149 mph.
The 2013 Steeda Focus ST has it’s formal debut. A European-inspired performance sedan from the Steeda Skunk-works Team, the Steeda Focus ST provides a smooth responsive ride with exceptional handling characteristics thanks to the Steeda enhanced turbocharged power and the advanced Steeda G/Trac handling/suspension components.
A Steeda equipped manual transmission GT500 with 1,156 RWHP and 1,078 RWTQ numbers was the first manual transmission GT500 to break into the * Second bracket by going 8.94 seconds at 159 MPH in the quarter mile.
At the Woodward Dream Cruise, Steeda introduces the all-new Steeda Certified GT500 Wide-Body Conversion. Specially handcrafted to up the ante in the world of Mustang performance, the 2014 Steeda Wide-Body Mustang is the latest offering from the Design and Engineering Teams at Steeda Autosports.
2014
A total of seven Mustangs specially modified for the rigorous driving needed for the movie “Need for Speed” are built all using suspension modifications provided by Steeda Autosports. With the extreme stunt driving, and high speed racing that the cars will be subjected to, the producers required performance parts that could count on and Steeda was their obvious choice!
At the Mustang 50th Anniversary Celebration Steeda Autosports showcased some of our own performance icons including our 1993 and 1995 Cobra R models, the original 2010 Q650 Steeda StreetFighter, and a stunning 2014 Q450. In addition, we actively supported the celebration by being not only a proud exhibitor, but we also fielded a series of race-cars driven by Robin Burnett and Dario Orlando provided hot laps for various lucky show attendees around the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Preparations for the launch of the all-new 2015 Mustang are well underway as we have our engineering team already working feverishly on a full complement of performance enhancements for the 2015 Mustang. To assist in our validation of our design, engineering, and performance part prototyping, we have four 2015 Mustangs coming to the Steeda Product Development Centers.
Steeda officially introduces the 2015 Steeda Q-Series vehicle line concurrent with the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Offering power levels ranging from 490 hp to 777 hp, the Steeda Q-Series is the ultimate Mustang for pony car war domination.
2015
Steeda strategically embarks on a major capital investment program that greatly expands our already industry leading Computer Aided Design capabilities. Done in preparation for upcoming launch of the all new S550 (2015+) Mustang, this major technological initiative will deploy the newest and most complicated digital scanning, digital designing, digital testing and rapid prototyping machinery, equipment, and tools that are available.
Steeda leads the industry by bringing to market more performance parts and accessories for the S550 Mustang (2015+) than all other manufactures combined. Done under our guiding principal that Speed Matters®, we have strategically correcting the vehicle’s performance deficiencies and substantially enhancing the Mustang’s performance level.
Steeda successfully renewed their ISO 9001:2008 Certification by once again passing an independent audit of our design, engineering, and manufacturing procedures. This complicated and costly certification process once allows us to produce a consistent higher quality performance parts and accessories to our customers. None of our competitors are ISO Certified – making this a win-win for our loyal customers.
2017
. Steeda’s Dario Orlando and Glen Vitale, President and Vice President, respectively, have taken that to heart. The duo won the SCCA 2017 Tropical Endurance Series, running in the T1 Class with Steeda’s #20 Yellow S550 Mustang Race Car. The Tropical Endurance Series is run on a number of tracks throughout south and central Florida, with most events being run as 90-minute Enduro races in conjunction with SCCA regional races.
2018
Steeda sets out to dominate on the drag strip with the introduction of their 2018 Mustang GT Drag Car - within the first couple of runs, Steeda successfully sets a new world-record by going 10.71 sec. @ 128 mph!
