Focus running in the tin tops

[Nuffboost22]

Hi all I'm new to the forum, here's a few picsq

[Nuffboost22]

Focus running in the tin tops

Sorry about that my phone froze anyways here's a few pics of the focus. It's an ex btcc production class focus built by Gr Motorsport for the 2001 season it was also ran for 3 consecutive years at the Macau touring car race before being retired.

She was bought in September and was prepared for the last round of the tin tops at oulton where it was competitive in qualifying but a shortage of 4th gear put us 13th, we started well but developed a miss fire and it just seemed to get worse so it was retired.
She will undergo a comprehensive rebuild over the winter....

[jimmy2006]

Re: Focus running in the tin tops

looks good

[dug112y]

Re: Focus running in the tin tops

looks really nice, any specs and more pics please.

[Arieke]

Re: Focus running in the tin tops

Nice car. Nice engine. Should be a nicely prepared engine then? specs?

[Nuffboost22]

Focus running in the tin tops

Right first of all sorry I've not posted in a while, my intention was to do a sort of build thread from the point of buying the car, unfortunately moving house and my drift car blowing up has meant the focus has took a back seat.
It was built in 2000/1 by Gr Motorsport to the new production class regulations at the time which in short meant that it had to retain the original silhouette, inlet and engine/gearbox configuration ie zetec engine with an fia controlled CR and the original plenum. It also had to retain the Mtx75 gearbox casing.

Brief car spec as bought.

Focus mk1 chassis, never reg
Fully integrated t45 cage to touring car spec, tied in to all shock mounts fully gusseted air jack tubes etc.
Air jacks.
All steel panels.
Full glass.
Carbon interior panelling
PI research system 2 dash
Pectel t6 2000 ecu
Zetec st 170 engine, Vvt delete
Cosworth rods, pistons, standard crank,
Mild head porting and mountune cams.
215bhp @ 7300rpm
X-Trac 5 speed dog box with trick diff
Penske 3 way dampers
Alcon callipers front and rear
Speedline corse magnesium wheels
Custom rad and oil cooler combo
Etc etc etc.

[Nuffboost22]

Focus running in the tin tops

After competing in the tin tops for a year and enjoying it me and my brother decided that we'd like to be a bit more competitive. After having a good look at the rules, a production touring car was the only route.
The car was found on race cars direct as a non runner but came with a comprehensive spares package including a spare engine.
After some serious negotiation we made the trip to Devon to haul her ass back!
Live wire to the fuel pump and starter solenoid bit of fresh fuel and she fired almost straight away.
The aim was to try and give her at least one shakedown before taking her to the last race of the year...
The day we picked it up

As you can tell she came from a good stable, I nearly fell over when the chap rolled up the shutter.

[alladdin]

Re: Focus running in the tin tops

interesting thread keep it coming :santa:

[Nuffboost22]

Focus running in the tin tops

We managed to get her home safely and had a good look round it when it was off the trailer.


Before the first race we knew it needed certain things to get it trackworthy.
The safety equipment needed to be brought up to date so we bought a new fire extinguisher and belts.
The suspension hadnt been rebuilt for 8 years so I took it to Penske, they charged me £650 for full rebuilds and dyno testing. Which compared to £6000 for a new set seemed quite reasonable!
The brakes seemed visibly ok so we left the seals.
A rain light was fitted and the ecu was sent to Tdf at Huntingdon because for some reason there was no dash coms, they advised that the motherboard was on its last legs but they managed to fix the driver for the fuel pump when it was ready I dropped it off for the ecu to be refitted and for a run on the rollers to check it over, it seemed to go through the gears ok and made 215bhp. I was quite happy so booked a test at mallory on a Wednesday morning.. For a shakedown.

[team_zi]

Re: Focus running in the tin tops

We soooo need to come over for a pint one evening

[Nuffboost22]

Focus running in the tin tops

Any time chap your more than welcome!

[dug112y]

Re: Focus running in the tin tops

how much was in this if you dont mind posting(or pm). it seems someone had spent a fortune to build it originally.

[Nuffboost22]

Focus running in the tin tops

Managed to get to mallory to shake her down and me and Tom managed 10 laps each....... With no brakes. Traced the problem to the vacuum off the plenum being missing I can't believe

[Nuffboost22]

Focus running in the tin tops

We didn't spot it was missing. Apart from that she seemed fine.
because of no dash commsI managed to fit a capillary guage for the water temp and with a rev limiter oil pressure and temp warning light drove the car like that.

[Nuffboost22]

Focus running in the tin tops

A few pics from mallory shakedown.