Ford Mustang V6 aims for 1,000 laps of Bristol track on one tank of fuel

How many laps of Bristol Motor Speedway will a V6-powered Ford Mustang run on one tank of fuel? Ford is about to find out as part of a marketing effort for the car, which got new V6 and V8 powertrains for the 2011 model year.

Ford thinks it can do at least 1,000 laps of the half-mile track at Bristol. It's running a contest at www.mustang1000lapchallenge.com. Those who correctly guess the number of laps run will be put in a drawing to win a V6 Mustang.

If you're thinking of taking a stab at the contest, here a few numbers to consider:

-- The 2001 Mustang V6 has a highway fuel-economy rating of 31 mpg.

-- The Mustang's fuel tank holds 16 gallons, according to Ford. That would give it a theoretical range of 496 miles.

-- The Bristol track measures 0.533 mile. So, 1,000 laps would equal 533 miles.

On the face of it, that would leave the Mustang about 37 miles, or just more than two gallons of fuel, short of running lap No. 1,000.

But the Ford team has held back on important piece of information: How fast will the Mustang lap the track?

The EPA says the highway fuel-economy rating represents "a mixture of rural and interstate highway driving in a warmed-up vehicle, typical of longer trips in free-flowing traffic."

There won't be much traffic on the Bristol track to slow the Mustang down, so you figure the 31 mpg rating comes from driving the car in the range of 55-70 mph. At the same time, there won't be any traffic to obstruct if the Mustang runs slower than 55 mph to boost its fuel economy. Ford also hasn't said whether it will run the car with the windows closed and the air conditioning and other accessories turned off or at minimal use--techniques that will boost fuel economy.

The run starts on Wednesday morning. Make your best guess soon.

By Dale Jewett