Turning O/D off makes the computer switch to a Sport/Towing mode in which the transmission shifts quicker, like a chip would do. It causes the car to shift quicker and maybe a little "harder" but it does improve times.
I do have time slips with similar 60' times and temps that show better times with o/d off...
From what i've heard, the contour isn't the only Ford car/vehicle that does this with o/d turned off...
