Looking for an amazing, track ready, American muscle car? In 2012, Ford built the Boss 302 and given it's setup and dual purpose as a road and track car, this one is appropriately called the Laguna Seca edition. Fitting, right? The Laguna Seca edition features a race-derived suspension, race-compound tires, no rear seats, race-derived aerodynamic modifications, and a special key that changes the engine computer programming from street-legal to full race spec. But still that "not so great rear suspension", but that's another topic to itself. For Ford fans or weekend warriors, this car is going to exceed the limitations of the driver 9 out of 10 times.

Being a few years old now, you can probably find some great deals on these 302's, perhaps even from a seller who bought it for it's name and never even got her familiar with a track environment. Pity, huh? A track inspired car is meant to be driven on the track when possible, not bought to sit in the garage while you tell your friends about said "race car" and how fast you can get it around your local track! 

#How About A Challenge?

One flying lap around the famous Mazda Laguna Raceway Seca in a $48,000, 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca edition (driven by none other than Randy Pobst) versus a $3,000, CR125 Honda powered shifter kart. This was my first time driving Laguna Seca in this kart. 

#Results:

Virtually the exact same laps times (1:41.xx) and I am far from a professional driver! With a top driver from this kart class in the drivers seat, they would beat out the Mustang by 2+ seconds. 

***Correction on the lap time of an identical kart to mine around Laguna Seca***
After a few more track days around Laguna, NCK Road Racing racer and friend Erik Maxfield has the top official time at Laguna Seca in my kart class - 1:36.444! For comparison:

2012 Corvette C6 Z06: 1:34:43, Driver: Randy Pobst, Tire: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup ZP
2012 McLaren MP4-12C - 1:34.5, Driver: Randy Pobst, Tire: Pirelli P Zero Corsa
2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series - 1:35.03, Driver: Randy Pobst
2012 Lamborghini Aventador - 1:35.4, Driver: Randy Pobst, Tire: Pirelli P-Zero Corsa
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - 1:35.83, Driver: Randy Pobst, Tire: Michelin Pilot Sport 2 
2010 Ferrari 458 Italia - 1:36.22, Driver: Randy Pobst, Tire: Michelin Pilot Super Sport K1
2013 Nissan GT-R Black Edition -1:36.3, Driver: Randy Pobst
2012 Lexus LFA - 1:36.39, Driver: Randy Pobst, Tire: Bridgestone Potenza S001
2013 SRT Viper - 1:36.43, Driver: Randy Pobst, Tire: Pirelli P Zero Corsa 
****125cc CR125 Shifter Kart: 1:36.44, Driver: Erik Maxfield, Tires: MG Yellow
2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition - 1:36.63, Driver: Randy Pobst
2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - 1:36.77, Driver: Randy Pobst, Tire: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
2014 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta - 1:38.04, Driver: Randy Pobst
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 - 1:38.28, Driver: Randy Pobst
2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus - 1:38.70, Driver: Randy Pobst
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - 1:38.82, Driver: Randy Pobst

#Added Notes:

Anyone with a valid driver's license (or signature of consent from parent) can buy one of these karts and not only hone their skills at open track (HPDE) events, but they can also race wheel to wheel with other racing junkies - no special license needed. And all of this can be done for about 1/10th the cost per weekend versus doing it in say, a Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/13/ford-mustang-boss-302-is-back-for-2012/

http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/1108_ford_mustang_boss_302_laguna_seca_2011_best_drivers_car_contender/