Virginia Spec Focus Build Complete (not 56k friendly)

[Matt Marks]

A quick trip to the alignment shop on Monday, and she's ready for her shakedown run and first race next weekend at VIR with NASA mid-atlantic. Here's a selection of pics showing the exterior and cage details.

Since these were taken, the sparco wheel is in place, and the ratty old seat from my last car (long ago expired) has been replaced with a new Sparco Evo2XL to accomodate the HANS I'm getting with my next purchase, and right side net and cool suit have also been installed. I have new G-Force FIA belts, so between that and the FIA seat I'm good to go. Car shouldn't have any issues getting it's logbook, and being good to race.

Next friday is a test and tune, so I'll get plenty of track time to shake it down, and then the usual Sat/Sun practice/qual/race NASA format.

I'll be paddocked next to the 944 cup guys if there are any focus guys (racers/non-racers) around who want to say hello.

Apologies for the large size on these. Also note all the damage on the roof where the car was rolled by the PO. Glad I have a good cage in place

[recar]

Any idea on the weight of your car?

[Matt Marks]

Not a stinkin' clue. lol

Will try to get it on the scales this weekend. Otherwise, I'll find out at the track. At the moment, it has all of the HVAC, AC, power windows and locks, so I think it's going to be pretty heavy.

[68 Touring Car]

Wow, I really am partial to sedans. Looks great and with you we will have at least 5 Spec Focus cars at the August Mid-Ohio.

[sleeperlove]

^^^

That will be Awesome!

[seanmc]

Looks great, Matt. A little de-porkification, and you're set! What motor is this, btw?

Let me know if you'll be running at Summit Point anytime soon (aug 25/26?)--I'll be happy to come over and lend a hand. Feel free to shoot me a PM.

Good luck!

[brads03zx3]

It appears to me to be an ST...so, 2.3L dura.

[Matt Marks]

Yup, it's a 2.3.

Sean - will be at the remaining NASA MA races - so we'll have to hook up.

Leo - if I come, you promise not to hit me? lol

[brads03zx3]

Do you planning on running 111 on the driver front and passenger rear doors?

[Matt Marks]

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

Do you planning on running 111 on the driver front and passenger rear doors?

Yup - spreads confusion to my fellow competitors.

Actually - couldn't decide where they looked better - so tried 'em both. I'm leaning towards rear doors.

[recar]

are you pulling the airbags and harness?

[f2focus]

The car looks really nice....let us know if you need help or parts for the car we have a lot of them to make the car quicker and better....

[Oreo]

if it weren't for the numbers on the doors, this thing would pass as a very competent sleeper! To the unsuspecting eye it looks like a mere underpowered zetec () focus, but a peek behind the tinted glass & what do we have here? Holy isht it's a dedicated track beast!!!

[68 Touring Car]

Originally Posted by f2focus

The car looks really nice....let us know if you need help or parts for the car we have a lot of them to make the car quicker and better....

Hey Ricardo, How is your Spec Focus coming along? Hope you can make it out to the Nationals and add another car to the field.

[Matt Marks]

Recar - driver's airbag is out - I have a sparco wheel on now. The passenger airbag is in for the moment...I ran out of time to pull it. The airbag control module has also been removed, but I need to leave the harness, etc. in as the car needs to keep a current state inspection and plates, or else my neighborhood association would happily tow it away. It lives on the street as my wife won't give up the garage/driveway. So, once a year it will need to have all of that junk on car, and the cat put back on for emissions. Virginia won't pass a car that has any check engine light or airbag light (or any light for that matter) on the dash, PLUS no obd 2 codes showing. So even if you don't have any OBD2 engine errors, but are still showing a fault code (or vice versa), they will fail you.

We'll see where I stack up in the competition before I make the decision if I really want to pull all of that crap out, and then spend a week putting it back in next summer. So, I'll have to hit the gym some more and lose weight the hard way ;-)

[f2focus]

Originally Posted by 68 Touring Car

Hey Ricardo, How is your Spec Focus coming along? Hope you can make it out to the Nationals and add another car to the field.

No nationals for me this year I am getting a zetec this weekend and working on another shell. The duratec is going to the painter and then selling. So not going to make it this year, Andrew is too busy with USTCC and making it to World Challenge!

[68 Touring Car]

Originally Posted by f2focus

No nationals for me this year I am getting a zetec this weekend and working on another shell. The duratec is going to the painter and then selling. So not going to make it this year, Andrew is too busy with USTCC and making it to World Challenge!

Great to here about Andrew and I think he should do well keep us updated.

Ricardo, I am sorry to here that you will not be at the Nationals we could of really used your support in the Spec Focus. We were just hoping to have as many entry's as possible and some cars from the west coast.

[f2focus]

I know I need to make it out their but it is really hard since i just moved and trying to finish these new cars and working on new stuff!

Andrew is in charge of racing for F2/Gillis Motorsports and World Challenge is priority at the moment, too much in such a short time......Nationals was on the date book but changed quickly...Good luck out there Leo and we will soon see you out there one day!