Archive for the ‘People’ Category
November 24th, 2009 | 
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Well, this is one of the most renowned names in the Mustang Industry. Jack Roush has been in racing for many years now. He has accomplished many things in his career. The
Roush Mustang is one of many things he has under his belt. I could write a book about this man but I don’t have that kind of time. So I’ve gathered some interesting facts of his history for you. I put it in a timeline outline so it will be easier to read. This way you don’t have to read through lengthly paragraphs and get bored with my writing. (god knows I do…) There is alot to cover about Jack Roush. And there are websites dedicated directly to him. But I am going to stick with the most important facts that has made him a LEGEND!
1942 – April 19th, born in Covington, KY. but grew up in Manchester,OH. very small town of 2500 people.
1964 – Graduated from Berea College with a Mathematics Degree and a minor in Physics. (I have a high school diploma, almost the same right?) Hired in at Ford as an engineer and moved to Detroit. (hello motorcity!!) After assisting with the processing of assembling and tooling for cars, he wanted to move into Engine Research and Developement.
1966 – Joined “Fastbacks” a drag racing group. This team consisted of various Ford Fastback cars. Icluding a Pinto, Mustang II, and a Maverick.
1969 – In MAY, Roush left Ford. Started buying equipment to help improve performance of the “Fastbacks”. Often offered his parts for sale throughout his career. Also hired in at Chrysler.
1970 – Obtained a Master’s in Scientific Mathematics at Eastern Michigan University. (darn, I have a looooong way to go for this one) Left Chrysler to pursue his own company. The group “Fastbacks” was ended. And Jack Roush partnered with Wayne Gapp to race in NHRA, IHRA, and AHRA winnging numerous events and carrying one championship in each class. Continued solely in drag racing till 1978.
1971-1972 – Taught mathematics, physics, and various automotive subjects @ Monroe Community College. (Monroe? I guess he likes the small towns)
1976 – Ended partnership w/ Wayne Gapp. Formed “Jack Roush Performance Engineering”. Because of his racing experience and reputation he was kept very busy. He stopped operating his drag racing team. He mainly built engines for other race teams through the early ’80s.
1982 – Partnered w/ Zakspeed Racing, a German Firm with great success in Europe who wanted to race in the U.S.A. Races were in Trans-Am series and IMSA Camel GT series.
1984 – “The Legend was Born” Returned to racing in SCCA and IMSA road racing series. Won the Manufacturer’s title for Lincoln-Mercury.
1988 – Roush Racing is born.(well, created anyways. in actuallity it already existed but didn’t have a name) He moved south to include NASCAR Winston Cup into his racing business. Teamed with driver Mark Martin. Won 1 pole position and 10 top-10 finishes.
1989 – Won first NASCAR Winston Cup at North Carolina Motor Speedway with Mark Martin as his driver.
1995 – Created “Roush Performance Products” (HELLO MUSTANG) This great company brought us our first Roush Mustang that we know and love. It also included a line of performance parts and crate engines.
2002 – Jack Roush almost loses his life in a self-piloted airplane in Troy, Alabama. (the wings of the plane are in his personal museum) He incurred a head injury, broken ribs, and a shattered left leg. He was rescued by retired Marine Larry Hicks. (THANK YOU LARRY)
2004 – Earned his 300th career win in post drag-racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
2006 – April 27th, Introduced into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame
The Fastbacks. Mustang II, Maverick, Pinto.
Jack Roush w/two of his earlier cars.
Mr. Roush was interested in anything mechanical probably since he was born. I wouldn’t doubt if he tried building a faster BIRTH from inside his mother. It’s said that if there was anything mechanical around his house growing up, he would have to take it apart to see how it worked. (hmm.. wonder if his mom got as mad as mine when i wired some things together once and decided to plug it in and see what it would do?)
He is a Team Owner, CEO of ROUSH Racing, and a Chairman of the Board of ROUSH Enterprises (wow, and I thought my job was demanding) which is the parent company of Roush Fenway Racing, Roush Industries, Roush Performance Products,Performance Assembly Solutions, and Roush Aviation. Among these companies, over 1800 people are currently employed. (I wonder if they are hiring?) Locations include Five U.S. States, Mexico, and Great Britain. His company is involved in engineering and manufacturing for electronics, sports equipment, aviation and motorsports industries.
Roush Fenway Racing has more than 300 wins to their
credit. It has 5 Nextel Cup teams. One full season and two
limited-schedule Busch Series teams. It also has two
Craftsman Truck Series teams. Roush, with various drivers have claimed
10 consecutive 24 Hours fo Daytona sedan class championships. 24
national championships and titles in two series, including 12
manufacturer’s championships. 119 road racing victories. Roush Fenway
Racing is the most winningest Ford racing team in history.
Roush was the only professional drag-racer to venture into
NASCAR, SCCA and IMSA road racing with success in every sport. Racing
fields include: five cars in NASCAR Sprint Cup series. Six cars in
NASCAR Nationwide series. Three trucks in NASCAR Craftsman Truck
series.
Roush Performance Products is the first specialy vehicle company to combine race proven technology with everyday vehicles. Vehicles included in the line-up are the Ford F-150, Ford Focus, and the infamous Ford Mustang. These vehicles get styling, handling and performance upgrades to the factory models. Jack personally approves every product before release and production. Also included from this company are performance parts and crate engines. So if you want to make your Ford Mustang faster because it’s SLOW to you. This is the place to get some great parts.
So as you can see this man has alot going on. The history of Jack Roush is what helped him to bring us the amazing Roush Ford Mustang and I for one am very greatful. Check out some of the photos I have gathered of Jack and various things.
There are alot of Mustang Related People nowadays. But I want to concentrate on some of the most famous and important people. These are people who have contributed to the Ford Mustang considerably. They have some interesting history that brought them and the Mustang to where it is today. Put your cursor on the photos to see who each person is. Click on photo to read about them.
This page will be continually growing. So check back peridically to learn about some more of these great people who help bring us the Ford Mustang.
Now I know Henry Ford didn’t directly have anything to do with the Mustang. But without the creation of Ford Motor Company. We never would have received such a great car. So I want to say thanks by writing a small bit about him.
He was born July 30, 1863. He grew up in Dearborn, MI. on a farm. He as many others in the auto industry, had an interest in anything mechanical. In 1879 he moved to Detroit to work as an apprentice machinist. In 1891 he became an engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company in Detroit. Then was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1893. This is also when he spent his spare time working on internal combustion
engines.
In 1896 he completed the Quadricycle. He was not the first to build a gasoline powered vehicle but was a pioneer of the automotive industry.
He tried twice to establish his automobile company and failed. Finally a third time in 1903 brought us the Ford Motor Company. The model-T came along in 1908. To supply the overwhelming demand he opened a facility in Highland Park, MI. in 1910. And in 1913 the assembly line as we know it was born.
The River Rouge Plant was the worlds largest industrial complex. You can now take tours of this building. This pretty much set mass production into play. From here Ford Motor Company grew and grew. And because of it we now have our loving Ford Mustang.
You can read more about him at “The Henry Ford” website.
