Making its world premiere in LA today is the Focus Race Car Concept that will form the base for the Blue Oval's next global touring race car. Powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the new racing model will get its first shot on the tarmac at the 2011 British Touring Car Championship.
For the creation of the Focus racer, Ford collaborated with various race teams from around the world in order to make sure that the new car meets rules governing circuit racing in the United States and beyond..
"This teamwork has resulted in a global racing platform using a common Focus body and a safety cage built to FIA regulations – a competitive platform that can be tailored for regional competition, based on different rules," said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development.
"By leveraging our collective experience and Ford technology worldwide, this approach parallels our global dedication to the Focus production car and specifically its exciting performance derivative, the new Focus ST, to deliver a competitive race car that can be campaigned around the world."
Based on the new Focus, the Race Car Concept has been upgraded with AST performance dampers, sport sway bars provided by Ford Racing and enormous, 320 mm front brakes, for extreme stopping power. Hoosier race tires wrap around the 18-inch Anthracite alloy wheels.
Inside, there's a roll cage and a Recaro racing seat with a six-point safety harness, alongside a fire suppression system. The AIM MXL Pista dashboard has a digital layout and features, among other data, a tachometer, rev counter and gear position indicator.
Ford is keen to benefit as much as possible from the teams' racing experience, so it's going to provide them full support, including data, advanced engineering tools and parts. The idea is that, in a few years time, new race-inspired technologies should make the transition to street models, as was the case with the 2012 Mustang Boss 302.
By Csaba Daradics
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