Spec Focus

[TfnG]

hey, does anyone know what class a NASA spec focus car would be in? in particular i have the svt model. the car is around 2400-2600 lbs...stock engine, suspension mods, fully gutted and caged. wasnt sure where it could race in the SCCA.

[dhardison]

hey, does anyone know what class a NASA spec focus car would be in? in particular i have the svt model. the car is around 2400-2600 lbs...stock engine, suspension mods, fully gutted and caged. wasnt sure where it could race in the SCCA. The 2002 1/2 Focus SVT is currently classified in Showroom Stock B. Of course the fact that yours is gutted and has suspension mods wouldn't make it legal for SS.

Dan

[ITC Racer]

It does not appear that the SVT Focus is currently classed. The non-SVT focus (years 2000-2001) is classed in ITA.

[Knestis]

You could request that any of the various Foci not already in the IT rules be listed, by following the process described at...

http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=44

There are links to the forms and General Class Rules (GCR, of which the IT rules are part).

Make very sure that you keep the various models separate in your thinking and in any proposal you might submit.

Kirk

EDIT - I don't think there's anything on an SF that would make it illegal in IT, although it won't likely be competitive since it's a more limited package than one could run if a car were built to the limits of the IT rules.

[Andy Bettencourt]

'Napkin math' spits this out:

170hp Focus SVT with driver

ITR weight: 2290ish

ITS weight: 2640ish

[MarcV]

Focus SVT could never make the ITR weight. ITS sounds right.

As a matter of fact, the current Zetec Focus needs to be reclassed from ITA to ITB with a more realistic weight as well - 2400 lbs is not a reality for these cars, 2600ish would be all right for these in ITB - the Spec Focus guys are lucky if they can reach 2600 lbs.

[Knestis]

Make any request that you think makes sense, in terms of what can actually be achieved in terms of weight. Provide whatever documentation you can - stock curb weight, etc.

K

EDIT - Remember however, the basis for classification and weight specification presumes a gen-U-ine 100% build. When you say that the SF guys can barely make 2600, is that fully stripped with IT-type improvements?

[MarcV]

I'm really just talking of the top of my head - I'll have to do my homework before making any serious request.

From what I've read, the Spec Focus in ZX3 trim is basically the ITA ZX3 with spec suspension components, some engine mods (not IT legal), and 17 inch wheels instead of 15.

I just think that these would make great (modern) IT cars and wouldn't want to see them wind up as "tweeners".

I just found the curb weight listed at 2551 lbs. - 130hp.

So, what is the official procedure to request a reclassification of a current car?

[confish86]

hey, does anyone know what class a NASA spec focus car would be in? in particular i have the svt model. the car is around 2400-2600 lbs...stock engine, suspension mods, fully gutted and caged. wasnt sure where it could race in the SCCA.
When someone gets SCCA to classify it , it would be an ITS car & would have to compete against the killer Mazda`s & BMW`s. If you have a completely legal Spec Focus car then it would be illegal in SCCA with the Lexan windows Spec Focus allows. Also with the Spec suspension you would be a mid packer (at best) against a legal ITS car. If the economy ever pics up i`m sure so will the spec focus crowd , but sure won`t be as popular as the spec Miata is. (just my .02)

[Andy Bettencourt]

I'm really just talking of the top of my head - I'll have to do my homework before making any serious request.

From what I've read, the Spec Focus in ZX3 trim is basically the ITA ZX3 with spec suspension components, some engine mods (not IT legal), and 17 inch wheels instead of 15.

I just think that these would make great (modern) IT cars and wouldn't want to see them wind up as "tweeners".

I just found the curb weight listed at 2551 lbs. - 130hp.

So, what is the official procedure to request a reclassification of a current car?

You can bet it would come in ~ 2305 in ITA is you did the work to classify it.

[cjb25hs]

The regular Focus is where it should be in ITA. The SVT should go to ITS or R I believe. Also, I am curious about this as well except based on an ST Model which has the Mazda 3's 2.3 Liter motor w/ 151HP and 154lb of Torque. The 2.3L cars are SSC trim now.

I am wondering because in 3 years that may be my next car.

[MarcV]

You can bet it would come in ~ 2305 in ITA is you did the work to classify it.
That is why it deserves to be reclassified in ITB!

[cjb25hs]

That is why it deserves to be reclassified in ITB!

The car belongs in ITA as classed. These cars can make weight if you try hard enough. From having autocrossed acr neons, focus and protege's all in DSP/FSP or STS trim, I can tell you that if someone builds a Focus to the limit it would be a front row car and possibly the best car in the class.

[quadzjr]

That is why it deserves to be reclassified in ITB!

not a chance.

edit: well I guess there is always a chance.. but I imagine it would be classed very, very heavy.

[MarcV]

The car belongs in ITA as classed. These cars can make weight if you try hard enough. From having autocrossed acr neons, focus and protege's all in DSP/FSP or STS trim, I can tell you that if someone builds a Focus to the limit it would be a front row car and possibly the best car in the class.

So, using Andy's paper napkin math, you would need to be able to remove ~550 lbs from a ZX3 Focus in order to make ITA weight of 2305.

This assumes ~300 lbs will be added with cage, driver, and fuel.

The question is if that is achievable, within the IT rules?

[Chip42]

never underestimate the weight of a modern interior. particularly one designed in europe.

that said, I agree that weight will be difficult to impossible to get a ZX3 2.0L + cage + driver - IT allowed removal down to 2305#, but that's OK in the rules; no promises of competitiveness and all that.

[dhardison]

My '00 Focus ZX3 (2.0L Zetec) weighs in at 4580 with driver and 1/2 tank of fuel. It's completely gutted/caged, has coilovers and is legal for ITA, well, except for that pesky supercharger which is why I run in ITE.

[jhooten]

It would hlp to know where you are. In SOWDIV you could run it in ITE. If my 2800# 175 HP pig can finish second in ITE 2 years in a row you should be able to make a go of it.

[RedMisted]

I have an SVT Focus street car so this discussion has been interesting.

At the NASA championships a couple years ago at Mid Ohio, the fastest lap time recorded in Spec Focus was in the 1:48s. (Do not know if they ran the pro course or the chicane.) Does anyone know what the lap time of such car might be if run in IT trim?

In order for the car to be a world-beater in ITR, the Focus would need to run 1:41s on the chicane configuration. In ITS, maybe 43s.

[cjb25hs]

I have an SVT Focus street car so this discussion has been interesting.

At the NASA championships a couple years ago at Mid Ohio, the fastest lap time recorded in Spec Focus was in the 1:48s. (Do not know if they ran the pro course or the chicane.) Does anyone know what the lap time of such car might be if run in IT trim?

In order for the car to be a world-beater in ITR, the Focus would need to run 1:41s on the chicane configuration. In ITS, maybe 43s.

You have to take into consideration that the spec focus suspension is far from an IT level suspension would be. IIRC they don't even run adjustable shocks, just the SVT shocks and different springs and bars.

[RedMisted]

You have to take into consideration that the spec focus suspension is far from an IT level suspension would be. IIRC they don't even run adjustable shocks, just the SVT shocks and different springs and bars.

Also that in Spec Focus they are required to run Toyos, which give up a lot of grip versus Hoosier R6 rubber.

I think the Focus in full IT trim could be a terror in ITS and make the front runners in ITR nervous. I've got an ITR Mustang, and no way is a stock V6 Mustang as good as a stock SVT Focus. I believe the latter has more upside and should be a better candidate in ITR than the Mustang. Just my $.02

[joeg]

I have owned an 04 SVT and an 06 ST with the 2.3.

Loved the '06; disliked the SVT.

It's all a weight game because either would make a good race car. Both are kind of oddballs though.

[cjb25hs]

I have owned an 04 SVT and an 06 ST with the 2.3.

Loved the '06; disliked the SVT.

It's all a weight game because either would make a good race car. Both are kind of oddballs though.

Glad to see that someone else agrees with me. I love my ST, it is essentially a detuned SVT suspension wise with more torque. IIRC the ST has the same sway bars and struts/shocks as the SVT but with softer taller springs.

[joeg]

Yeah...that SVT was a trip. Broke off about 10 O2 sensors (on driveways!); doors would break (refuse to latch) and the tires could never stay balanced. All warranteed but a pain.

Never a problem or concern with the 2.3 ST and it ran much better. It was never in for service other than oil changes.

I trade at the end of warranty and I am currently on a '08 Cobalt Sport. Waiting on the '10 Fiesta.

[Knestis]

The ITAC is taking a look at the Foci and (while I might just speak for myself) it's really easy to get lost among the various iterations of the thing. If any of you experts would like to provide "friend of the court" kind of documentation or guidance, you can email it to me and I'll put it into the mix. We need physical attributes to make decisions but general "what is what" kind of information helps (e.g., when different model/trim level runs started/ended, how they differ, which might have tricks hiding in the spec sheet that we should really consider a la the MTecnic BMW bumper...)

[email protected]


K

[cjb25hs]

The ITAC is taking a look at the Foci and (while I might just speak for myself) it's really easy to get lost among the various iterations of the thing. If any of you experts would like to provide "friend of the court" kind of documentation or guidance, you can email it to me and I'll put it into the mix. We need physical attributes to make decisions but general "what is what" kind of information helps (e.g., when different model/trim level runs started/ended, how they differ, which might have tricks hiding in the spec sheet that we should really consider a la the MTecnic BMW bumper...)

[email protected]


K

Kirk, I am by no means an expert but between myself and my 2 brothers we have owned 4 Foci, all different years and 3 different motors. I will send you all of the knowledge and back up info I have possibly over the weekend if I can.