Dynatek Racing

A New Breed of Pony

My time with Dynatek Racing began in late 2004 when I was awarded the position of an intern designer while in college. I carried my senior internship program into a full time designer post graduation in 2005. Dynatek had history sponsoring ARCA series racing campaigning a Cup car in the sub NASCAR level.

In 2005 Dynatek Racing was redirected as a custom coach works facility taking on the then all-new retro S197 Mustang platform. We were able to secure pre-production bodies-in-white to develop our own signature line of unique Mustangs and accessories. The following pages capture that development and the success we had with our products.

Ultimately we chose to blend traits from each category to have a road race inspired street car with a classic flair.

Various themes and ideas were explored upon before determining which direction we would like to take our new found Mustang platforms. Aesthetics vary from 1960s-1970s
TransAm Series inspired themes, to a sleek modern street car. Wilder ideas explored on a full blown road race ALMS GT1 group theme.

Ultimately we chose to blend traits from each category to have a road race inspired street car with a classic flair.

Defining the Details

Once the final concept was decided upon, more sketches and renderings were created to fine tune the design language. The hockey stripe accent was one facet we wanted to carry over into all the street model cars. A matching offset color rear filler panel also carried over to the final production vehicles.

With any good product, the separation from afterthought to well development can always be found in the details.

One of our largest challenges was to create unique design features that we could modify the existing body structure around; but would allow us to refrain from any type of paint work and factory color matching. Items such as DR350 badges; denoting a 350 horsepower Dynatek Racing Mustang, covered existing holes left in the front fenders when removing the factory badges for stripe placement.

With any good product, the separation from afterthought to well development can always be found in the details. I worked on a multitude of accessory add-ons that provided subtle yet engaging design features to dress both the exterior, interior and under hood portions of the vehicles. The higher the trim model, the more design features could be found throughout the car.

Modular Thinking

Shown here are different styles that were explored upon to incorporate into the higher level Mustang platforms. The idea was to create a form where we could cut away at the existing bumper and slide a matte black molded plastic or fiberglass rear diffuser section and securely fasten it to the existing uni-body structure. The S197’s forward fuel tank placement allows for lots of working room here not previously found on Mustangs.

This provides stability and grip at speed.

The same plug and play design model was used to develop a front splitter for the cars. A front splitter is an extension at the lowest part of the facia that acts as a wedge in the airflow. The incline catches oncoming air pushing the nose of the vehicle downward, while the underside of the splitter is smooth and extends back, again creating a vacuum effect. This provides stability and grip at speed. A heat extractor hood was also put into development for racing applications.

Completed Vehicles

The completed cars were available in four trim levels; the DR250, DR350, DR350R and DR500. The standard 350 horsepower V8 model shown here featured all the basic Dynatek appointments, badges, dress up and performance enhancements. Although formidable, it could be ordered as an off road only ‘R’ package, with full racing suspension, CNC cylinder heads and various other drivetrain options to boast near 400 horsepower without aspiration.

Featured in Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords magazine for High Speed Vehicle Packages including our unique front splitter.

The top of the line DR500 concept build featured unique custom made 19” vintage Panasport style wheels, a side exit under car exhaust, heat extractor hood and water to air cooled supercharger system. Power output boasted over 520 crank horsepower. Cost limited to a one off production, the DR500 embodied the original concept of a modernized Trans Am style road racer for the street. Although Dynatek Racing ventured into multiple vehicle marketplaces and development, the S197 Mustang will always be the staple point of the high performance brand.