Steeda News Release - On Track

Glen Vitale and Dario Orlando, qualified second in a 40 car field and drove the Steeda Focus ZX3 to a class win in the Scott Lewis Memorial, Three Hour Endurance race, at Moroso Motorsports Park. The Steeda Focus is the class leader in the Florida Endurance Series.

The Steeda Focus ZX3 development car continues to rack up points and lead the Florida Endurance Series, after an impressive showing at the Scott Lewis Memorial Three Hour Endurance race at Moroso Motorsports Park, located in Jupiter, Florida.

Handling the driving duties for the event were Steeda President, Dario Orlando and Glen Vitale, Steeda Vice President, Operations. Both drivers have proven driving records, Dario winning a number of SCCA class and regional titles, Vitale is the current SCCA Spec Miata Regional Champion. The Focus, powered by a 2.3 Cosworth engine and equipped with a complete Steeda suspension, including the just released rear sway bar is both fast and reliable. Dario qualified the Focus on the outside pole next to a V8 Mustang and ahead of some very quick and famous marques, including Porsche, BMW, Honda and VW.

The three hour race started at 6:00 PM and tested both night driving skills and endurance of the 40 competitors. Glen Vitale started and kept the Focus up front until relieved by Dario. The road racing veteran kept the hammer down as the car performed flawlessly into the Florida evening. “The Focus is so much fun to drive, it is extremely well balanced and has plenty of power with the Cosworth powerplant” Dario stated. Glen took over for the third and final hour far ahead of competition for another class win. Asked if there is a big difference between driving his rear wheel drive Miata and the front wheel drive Focus? Glen replied, “Oh yes! A whole new and different experience! I like the Focus as it goes where you point it; I just had to remember it is a front driver with a different set of parameters”! To get comfortable with the front wheel drive, Glen parked his daily driver, a Steeda Mustang and drove a ZX3 prior to the endurance race. His preparation more than paid off as evidenced by the class win.
Also piloting to Steeda Focus in one of the sprint races held during the weekend, was SCCA veteran campaigner and Steeda Sales Representative, Frank Stoddard. During one portion of the race, Frank passed eight competitors in just a couple of laps on his way to an impressive showing with the Steeda Focus.