FORD RACING'S FOCUS WRC8 SHOWS EXTREME THINKING IN PERFORMANCE PARTS OFFERINGS - Speak Easy - Off Topics - Team Focus - Come On In And Enjoy The Company!
Ford Racing Performance Part's Focus WRC8 show car mixes the look of a Focus World Rally car with American V8 power.
The Focus WRC8 showcases the variety in Ford Racing's new catalog of Focus performance parts including everything from a World Rally-inspired body kit to V8-engine conversion kits.
LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 2 – Dan Davis, Director of Ford Racing Technology, and Jamie Allison, Manager of Ford Racing Performance Parts, took the wraps off their latest performance project vehicle the Focus WRC8 during today's Specialty Equipment Market Association's International Auto Salon (SEMA IAS) at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At first glance, the Focus WRC8 resembles the Focus rally cars that compete around the globe in the World Rally Championship series, but further investigation finds the car powered by an all-American V8 driving the rear wheels.
"The Focus WRC8 is a showcase of what Ford Racing Performance Parts is going to be offering to all the Focus enthusiasts out there," said Allison. "We're introducing a new catalog of Focus performance parts featuring everything from WRC-inspired parts such as body kits and spoilers, to Cosworth Racing engineered 4-cylinder performance parts, to a full-on V8 rear-wheel drive conversion kit. We have all the bases covered!"
The Focus WRC8 started life as a ZX3 hatchback and has been turned into a rear-drive V8-powered pocket-rocket. The WRC-inspired body kit comes directly from Ford Rallye Sport, the team that develops and manages Ford's WRC racing effort. The body kit is exactly like what can be found on the WRC championship-leading Focus RS rally cars. Ford Racing Performance Parts will be offering a Focus WRC-inspired body kit in its new Fast Focus catalog. That kit has been designed and developed by Wings West, an affiliate of the Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP) program.
"The Focus WRC8 is not a dream machine, but could be assembled in your garage with the V8/RWD conversion kit available in the catalog," said Davis. "You can fit any of a selection of Ford Racing crate engines in the car, from a budget-oriented 302cid all the way up to the newest addition to our lineup, the 5.0L Cammer V8 producing 420hp which can be found in the WRC8."
The Focus WRC8 features some new electronic systems that could very well be helpful for the Focus performance enthusiast in his or her search for the best lap times and performance. For logging performance data, the WRC8 features the Pi Clubman data acquisition system with the Xsport dash display. This system can monitor a myriad of different functions, but focuses on keeping track of lap times. This system will be available in the new Fast Focus catalog of performance parts.
And in order to ensure proper tire inflation, the WRC8 features the SmarTire tire pressure and temperature monitoring system. Each wheel has a tire sensor and transmitter mounted on the rim and communicates to a pre-programmed display unit that automatically warns the driver of low tire pressures. The WRC8 features the display as one of three A-pillar mounted gauge pods.
"What are we going to do with this you ask? I think it would just blow people's minds to see what is assumed to be a front-wheel-drive Focus out drifting," said Davis. "With this pocket rocket package, I wouldn't be surprised to see this out at all kinds of events, from drag races to autocrosses to drifting events."
Other parts featured on the Focus WRC8 that will be available in the new Fast Focus catalog include the RS five-spoke wheels, the RS suspension and Brembo brake package, and RS steering wheel.
Ford Racing Performance Parts, a division of Ford Racing Technology, develops and sells high-performance and racing parts through its network of Ford dealer and performance parts distributors. For more information on Ford Racing Performance Parts, or to find a distributor near you, visit: http://www.fordracingparts.com
