Challenge at the Streets - Focaljet

**wallygator** · 07-24-2006, 10:35 AM

I will have to say, despite the intense and wicked heat, this was one of the funnest track events I have been to. The icing on the cake was the Challenge. It was great to see some many participants!! Plus, I have a convert (Acnon, aka Art)to the dark side that is the automatic transmission Foci.

**acnon** · 07-24-2006, 02:17 PM

Muhahahaaahaa!!!

The event was an absolute blast! The heat sucked, but was tolerable.
Had it been cooler, I think I could have knocked off a second or two more off my time.

Too bad I didn't get to chase Wally more often.....I wanted to see how he was compensating for the auto.

Damn I love running with this group!!!!

**slidemaster** · 07-24-2006, 04:11 PM

We love you too! The commercial fans (thanks Scotty) cold towels 10x20 coverage and great friends make it all to worth while

**SVT Proto** · 07-24-2006, 07:23 PM

I need to figure out how to fit an easy-up in my svt. it was like 112 out there!

**acnon** · 07-24-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVT Proto

I need to figure out how to fit an easy-up in my svt. it was like 112 out there!

Yeah, no ****!!!

My friend usually brings one along. It fits in the car just fine. Just make sure you get one that breaks down to about 4 ft high, and has a carry-bag.

**SVT_Neil** · 07-24-2006, 10:04 PM

I, for one, did not have a good time. Getting to the event to find out that Redline wanted another $30 for the transponder just was NOT right. In seven pages of thread involving this event dating back to May 05th it was NEVER mentioned, not once! On the FOTB site, NOTHING!

As Chris from Redline explained to me, they are trying to pay for the $30,000 they had to spend for new timing gear. To that I say, it's not my problem. Let me explain. I understand the need to cover equipment expenses, but the manner in which it was handled was poor at best. From what I could gather it sounds to me like it was an honest mistake on Redlines part, but the proper thing to do would have been to absorb the cost (your mistake, right) and make sure it was clear for the next event that those charges would be part of the fee to enter. Or better yet, why not include those charges as part of the entry since you really can't participate in the Focus Challenge without a transponder. In business mistakes are going to be made, it's how you handle them that set you apart from the others.

**OmniFocus** · 07-24-2006, 10:07 PM

Other than that, did you have fun?

**SVT_Neil** · 07-24-2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmniFocus

Other than that, did you have fun?

That kinda set the tone for the rest of the day for me. Freakin' heat made changing to my Nittos a horrid experience. Then I had to deal with missing locking lug nuts. Someone replaced them with standard lugs that were rounded. Not sure where this could have occurred except the dealer who has done all of the maintenance/repair work. Then the 225/45R17 Nitto NT-01s were rubbing on the driver front in the bowl, so I changed back to my brand new full-tread OEM Conti's which I didn't want to run on. Finally I got onto the track and couldn't get my GPS data aquisition gear to give me laps times, so I thought it wasn't recording (I've analyzed the data and it was- yippee!). Stock SVT Focus oil temperatures run through the roof in a few hot laps and with the ambient temps already well into the 100s I could only run about three laps before pulling into the pits to cool it. Also I was mindful of the stock power steering system which also doesn't like heat. Thankfully I didn't pop another P.S. line. So for me it was a dreadful day and a huge waste of time and money. So no, I really didn't have a very good time. Surprising since there's no place I'd rather be than the track and believe me I spend a lot of time at tracks testing vehicles. Anyway I didn't have an off, didn't break and didn't suffer any heat stroke so I am grateful for some things. They'll be other track days, maybe no more Focus Challenge for me, but other days where it'll be great. Until then...

**MarcyMotorsport** · 07-24-2006, 10:51 PM

Wow, I had a blast. Especially right before the rain fell with the car running open exhaust. OMG the thing is loud inside, but with the cooler track conditions the car felt amazing. The track tightened up enough that I could push the car way harder than in the sun. The car turned so well going into 3 on my second lap that session, I found myself with stopped with the front tires in the dirt on between the curbs.

What an awesome day. Of course, I owe a great deal of the fun I had to Allan for his efforts in the carat two prior track days providing the awesome feedback that has gotten the suspension and handling on this car so far with so little in the way of parts. With two weeks before the Focaljet Track Attak 2, I have a laundry list of things to do to improve the car even more.

Neil, I can see your point about the transponder, but really, is it such a big deal in the end? I hope that ultimately, you can call the experience a fun day, or at least a success if your car didn't break or suffer any serious problems. I've had a crank pulley failure at Spring mountain in 2004 that I managed to limp home from Vegas with some putty epoxy and crossed fingers. I completely killed my stock brakes in my first Focus Challenge at the Streets in 2004. I had the exhaust hanger break after the tail pipe came unbolted drug the muffler to a 1:36.592 in the second FC session yesterday. I still had fun, and I hope everyone else did too.

**OmniFocus** · 07-24-2006, 10:54 PM

I definitely had a blast.

I had definite concerns about getting home.... The total tally of damage for the weekend is: Three sheared wheel studs, one bent Koni, and a nasty feeling balljoint.

...but she will evolve.

**FocusSportVP** · 07-24-2006, 11:02 PM

Walter, how long after we left did the rain start? I think we left right at 3pm.

**MarcyMotorsport** · 07-24-2006, 11:05 PM

The rain fell at about 4:15, but the track cooled off at about 3:30 and there was a window of about 30 minutes where the conditions were simply awesome.

**FocusSportVP** · 07-24-2006, 11:05 PM

Great.

**belacyrf** · 07-24-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmniFocus

I definitely had a blast.

I had definite concerns about getting home.... The total tally of damage for the weekend is: Three sheared wheel studs, one bent Koni, and a nasty feeling balljoint.

...but she will evolve.

What happened to cause the carnage?

**OmniFocus** · 07-24-2006, 11:27 PM

I tagged the inside curb in turn three during my very first session of the day... didn't really realize the Koni was bent until later that night... It does explain why the car turned better left than right... 5-6 degrees of camber isn't very useful.

The balljoint on the other side.... I'm not sure, but it was probably due anyway.

The studs were on the same side as the Koni, but they waited almost three full sessions to break... All I did was brake and turn into the bowl and they snapped... Nasty noise. I was very fortunate the other two held or else I'd be buying RS fenders and more.

I'm probably going to remove the entire front suspension and redo pretty much everything... Those Konis were no big loss, as they had 83k on them.

**belacyrf** · 07-24-2006, 11:39 PM

Wow didn't know the curb on turn 3 was that large. And that side is usually completely unloaded. Odd.

Well as you said, at least you are now on your way to building up

**OmniFocus** · 07-24-2006, 11:42 PM

...and in case P-51 reads this... It wasn't an intentional curb hit.

Your old tires performed admirably, BTW... I think they're done now, however.

**MarcyMotorsport** · 07-24-2006, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmniFocus

...and in case P-51 reads this... It wasn't an intentional curb hit.

Your old tires performed admirably, BTW... I think they're done now, however.

You left many laps worth of rubber on the skid pad alone doring that last session...

Good stuff.

**Demon4545** · 07-25-2006, 12:48 AM

I learned two things:

1. Driving on a track is fun.

2. I have a lot of learning to do about driving on a track.

Thanks to all those who helped put it on.

**airforcefocus** · 07-25-2006, 01:17 AM

The event was awesome for me! I enjoyed most of it except for the two times my rear ABS wires were damaged and the car went to equal bias..LOL. Coming into the skidpad, I touched the brakes a little and she went around like an ex-wife. Looked like a terrific spin from an external point of view. The second time, I managed to drift through the entire bowl when the rears locked up, that was fun.

I felt like I held my own pretty well. It's not easy going up against companies with more experience and a much larger budget. With that being said, I will not make the shootout, my wallet cannot afford it after this weekend and I simply cannot fund the event when I have a family to look out for.

I will have to concentrate on shoot-outs and track attacks since I'm basically out handicapped in the Focus Challenge. I have not had a top three since the obscene tire handicap came into play, so I basically have to win with divine intervention, which does not happen..LOL. I think my best placement was in a rental auto 2.0 sedan in Pahrump a few yeas ago. I'll concentrate on the track attack in December and play with a few things on the car for that event.

**FocusSportVP** · 07-25-2006, 01:49 AM

Chris,

Man you sound deflated. I thought you drove the piss outta your Focus and I think everyone else would agree. I give you mad respect for your driving skills and raw time.

**belacyrf** · 07-25-2006, 02:09 AM

Chris, if you feel "out-handicapped' then we have to make adjustments. One of the bigger things creating a tire factor. Because any tire giving your 4 seconds is pretty much impossible on a track full of slow turns.

The HDCP system needs some work.

**FocusAZ1** · 07-25-2006, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belacyrf

The HDCP system needs some work.

This was my first Focus Challenge event, so maybe I shouldn't say anything about it, but I think that this is probably a true statement. With a stock motor plus suspension and R-tires my HDCP of 2.75 was a bit lower than I would have anticipated.

Regardless of the results however, the day was pure joy for me. Yeah changing my tires in the heat sucked...and the added $30.00 for the transponder was unexpected, but I didn't drive 1300 miles this weekend to let little things like that keep me from a good time. Thankfully, the car ran hard and relatively fast all day and we still made it all the way back to AZ that night!

**Egz** · 07-25-2006, 09:16 AM

It was hot, but it was a dry heat. I was fine.

You guys look good. Now come out to one of our tracks.

07-24-2006, 10:35 AM	#1
wallygator TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: In a trailer down by the river. Posts: 421	Challenge at the Streets I will have to say, despite the intense and wicked heat, this was one of the funnest track events I have been to. The icing on the cake was the Challenge. It was great to see some many participants!! Plus, I have a convert (Acnon, aka Art)to the dark side that is the automatic transmission Foci. __________________ 02 Liquid Gray ZX5 Powerworks SC www.focuschallenge.com # 909 97 Explorer XLT 5.0 AWD 97 CVPI Racing is Life. Everything before or after is just waiting.

07-24-2006, 02:17 PM	#2
acnon TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Digitally Inebriated... Posts: 486	Re: Challenge at the Streets Muhahahaaahaa!!! The event was an absolute blast! The heat sucked, but was tolerable. Had it been cooler, I think I could have knocked off a second or two more off my time. Too bad I didn't get to chase Wally more often.....I wanted to see how he was compensating for the auto. Damn I love running with this group!!!! __________________ #1: 2002 SVT Sonic Blue / All options / #479 of 4788 Born: 03/26/02 - CHOKING ON CATALYST... Powerworks S/C at ??Psi Koni yellows all around. #2: 2001 ZX3 Auto - SVT suspension. Otherwise-STOCK!! LOL

07-24-2006, 04:11 PM	#3
slidemaster Professor PowerSlide Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: steering backward through the mirror Posts: 7,902	Re: Challenge at the Streets We love you too! The commercial fans (thanks Scotty) cold towels 10x20 coverage and great friends make it all to worth while __________________ Watch for "Road Trip" coming soon- check with your cable provider

07-24-2006, 07:23 PM	#4
SVT Proto TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Jose Posts: 490	Re: Challenge at the Streets I need to figure out how to fit an easy-up in my svt. it was like 112 out there! __________________ In the land of the ZX3's, the SVT is king. 2002 SVT Focus- ORP, Borla, Aem Cai, ZE-motor mount, MSD Coil, Redline Syn oil, 10mm Livewires, FC UD Pulleys, Steeda tri-ax, Front & Rear strut Bars. 1/4 mi 14.9

07-24-2006, 10:04 PM	#6
SVT_Neil TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Posts: 144	Re: Challenge at the Streets I, for one, did not have a good time. Getting to the event to find out that Redline wanted another $30 for the transponder just was NOT right. In seven pages of thread involving this event dating back to May 05th it was NEVER mentioned, not once! On the FOTB site, NOTHING! As Chris from Redline explained to me, they are trying to pay for the $30,000 they had to spend for new timing gear. To that I say, it's not my problem. Let me explain. I understand the need to cover equipment expenses, but the manner in which it was handled was poor at best. From what I could gather it sounds to me like it was an honest mistake on Redlines part, but the proper thing to do would have been to absorb the cost (your mistake, right) and make sure it was clear for the next event that those charges would be part of the fee to enter. Or better yet, why not include those charges as part of the entry since you really can't participate in the Focus Challenge without a transponder. In business mistakes are going to be made, it's how you handle them that set you apart from the others. __________________ 2002 Sonic Blue SVT Focus Born on date 8/1/2002 #3784 of 4788

07-24-2006, 10:07 PM	#7
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 26,222	Re: Challenge at the Streets Other than that, did you have fun? __________________ Check out the shiny new PirateNinjasWithLasers.com for the latest updates in 24 Hours of LeMons goodness. Vacuum Vulture Racing: We put the "rad" in scrub radius, and the "ack" in ackerman.

07-24-2006, 10:51 PM	#9
MarcyMotorsport Former Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: On the Dyno... Posts: 1,553	Re: Challenge at the Streets Wow, I had a blast. Especially right before the rain fell with the car running open exhaust. OMG the thing is loud inside, but with the cooler track conditions the car felt amazing. The track tightened up enough that I could push the car way harder than in the sun. The car turned so well going into 3 on my second lap that session, I found myself with stopped with the front tires in the dirt on between the curbs. What an awesome day. Of course, I owe a great deal of the fun I had to Allan for his efforts in the carat two prior track days providing the awesome feedback that has gotten the suspension and handling on this car so far with so little in the way of parts. With two weeks before the Focaljet Track Attak 2, I have a laundry list of things to do to improve the car even more. Neil, I can see your point about the transponder, but really, is it such a big deal in the end? I hope that ultimately, you can call the experience a fun day, or at least a success if your car didn't break or suffer any serious problems. I've had a crank pulley failure at Spring mountain in 2004 that I managed to limp home from Vegas with some putty epoxy and crossed fingers. I completely killed my stock brakes in my first Focus Challenge at the Streets in 2004. I had the exhaust hanger break after the tail pipe came unbolted drug the muffler to a 1:36.592 in the second FC session yesterday. I still had fun, and I hope everyone else did too.

07-24-2006, 10:54 PM	#10
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 26,222	Re: Challenge at the Streets I definitely had a blast. I had definite concerns about getting home.... The total tally of damage for the weekend is: Three sheared wheel studs, one bent Koni, and a nasty feeling balljoint. ...but she will evolve. __________________ Check out the shiny new PirateNinjasWithLasers.com for the latest updates in 24 Hours of LeMons goodness. Vacuum Vulture Racing: We put the "rad" in scrub radius, and the "ack" in ackerman.

07-24-2006, 11:02 PM	#11
FocusSportVP Premiere Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Lair of The West Coast Cult Posts: 20,820	Re: Challenge at the Streets Walter, how long after we left did the rain start? I think we left right at 3pm. __________________ Best Regards, Randy Robles Vice President FocusSport / FSWerks www.focussport.com / www.fswerks.com 714.630.6353 A work in progress - The 384 WHP / 341 WTQ FocusSport Turbo ZX3 - Click me! The FocusSport Street Tuner Challenge Focus 396 WHP / 347 WTQ - Click me!

07-24-2006, 11:05 PM	#12
MarcyMotorsport Former Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: On the Dyno... Posts: 1,553	Re: Challenge at the Streets The rain fell at about 4:15, but the track cooled off at about 3:30 and there was a window of about 30 minutes where the conditions were simply awesome.

07-24-2006, 11:05 PM	#13
FocusSportVP Premiere Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Lair of The West Coast Cult Posts: 20,820	Re: Challenge at the Streets Great. __________________ Best Regards, Randy Robles Vice President FocusSport / FSWerks www.focussport.com / www.fswerks.com 714.630.6353 A work in progress - The 384 WHP / 341 WTQ FocusSport Turbo ZX3 - Click me! The FocusSport Street Tuner Challenge Focus 396 WHP / 347 WTQ - Click me!

07-24-2006, 11:27 PM	#15
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 26,222	Re: Challenge at the Streets I tagged the inside curb in turn three during my very first session of the day... didn't really realize the Koni was bent until later that night... It does explain why the car turned better left than right... 5-6 degrees of camber isn't very useful. The balljoint on the other side.... I'm not sure, but it was probably due anyway. The studs were on the same side as the Koni, but they waited almost three full sessions to break... All I did was brake and turn into the bowl and they snapped... Nasty noise. I was very fortunate the other two held or else I'd be buying RS fenders and more. I'm probably going to remove the entire front suspension and redo pretty much everything... Those Konis were no big loss, as they had 83k on them. __________________ Check out the shiny new PirateNinjasWithLasers.com for the latest updates in 24 Hours of LeMons goodness. Vacuum Vulture Racing: We put the "rad" in scrub radius, and the "ack" in ackerman.

07-24-2006, 11:39 PM	#16
belacyrf [FJ] Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Where my home is Posts: 17,300	Re: Challenge at the Streets Wow didn't know the curb on turn 3 was that large. And that side is usually completely unloaded. Odd. Well as you said, at least you are now on your way to building up __________________ 1995 Turbocharged Miata for sale Former owner of Turbo SVTF Last edited by belacyrf : 07-25-2006 at 12:22 AM.

07-24-2006, 11:42 PM	#17
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 26,222	Re: Challenge at the Streets ...and in case P-51 reads this... It wasn't an intentional curb hit. Your old tires performed admirably, BTW... I think they're done now, however. __________________ Check out the shiny new PirateNinjasWithLasers.com for the latest updates in 24 Hours of LeMons goodness. Vacuum Vulture Racing: We put the "rad" in scrub radius, and the "ack" in ackerman.

07-25-2006, 12:48 AM	#19
Demon4545 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Danville/Pomona, CA Posts: 3,228	Re: Challenge at the Streets I learned two things: 1. Driving on a track is fun. 2. I have a lot of learning to do about driving on a track. Thanks to all those who helped put it on. __________________ "Release...the kitties!"

07-25-2006, 01:17 AM	#20
airforcefocus [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moreno Valley , Calif. Posts: 5,828	Re: Challenge at the Streets The event was awesome for me! I enjoyed most of it except for the two times my rear ABS wires were damaged and the car went to equal bias..LOL. Coming into the skidpad, I touched the brakes a little and she went around like an ex-wife. Looked like a terrific spin from an external point of view. The second time, I managed to drift through the entire bowl when the rears locked up, that was fun. I felt like I held my own pretty well. It's not easy going up against companies with more experience and a much larger budget. With that being said, I will not make the shootout, my wallet cannot afford it after this weekend and I simply cannot fund the event when I have a family to look out for. I will have to concentrate on shoot-outs and track attacks since I'm basically out handicapped in the Focus Challenge. I have not had a top three since the obscene tire handicap came into play, so I basically have to win with divine intervention, which does not happen..LOL. I think my best placement was in a rental auto 2.0 sedan in Pahrump a few yeas ago. I'll concentrate on the track attack in December and play with a few things on the car for that event. __________________ http://www.redlinetrackevents.com http://www.barberdrivingexperience.com http://www.stoutperformance.net coming soon! 2008 GTI MKV2008 F-150 FX42009 Focus Coupe

07-25-2006, 01:49 AM	#21
FocusSportVP Premiere Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Lair of The West Coast Cult Posts: 20,820	Re: Challenge at the Streets Chris, Man you sound deflated. I thought you drove the piss outta your Focus and I think everyone else would agree. I give you mad respect for your driving skills and raw time. __________________ Best Regards, Randy Robles Vice President FocusSport / FSWerks www.focussport.com / www.fswerks.com 714.630.6353 A work in progress - The 384 WHP / 341 WTQ FocusSport Turbo ZX3 - Click me! The FocusSport Street Tuner Challenge Focus 396 WHP / 347 WTQ - Click me!

07-25-2006, 02:09 AM	#22
belacyrf [FJ] Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Where my home is Posts: 17,300	Re: Challenge at the Streets Chris, if you feel "out-handicapped' then we have to make adjustments. One of the bigger things creating a tire factor. Because any tire giving your 4 seconds is pretty much impossible on a track full of slow turns. The HDCP system needs some work. __________________ 1995 Turbocharged Miata for sale Former owner of Turbo SVTF

07-25-2006, 09:16 AM	#24
Egz Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Tappahannock, VA Posts: 19,432	Re: Challenge at the Streets It was hot, but it was a dry heat. I was fine. You guys look good. Now come out to one of our tracks.