Moroso Motorsports Park
07/2002
Steeda returned to the track at Moroso Motorsports Park on July 13th and 14th for another round of racing with the number 22 Focus ZX3. The Steeda R&D department had been at work, and the Focus arrived at the track 30 pounds lighter and 10 horsepower stronger thanks to a new long tube header. Saturday morning Steeda R&D manger Dan Carlson qualified the #22 Focus 2nd overall in a field of 41 cars. In fact, the only faster car in the field wasn’t a production car at all, but a 2/3rd scale replica of a Winston cup car.
The #22 Steeda Focus got off to a clean start for the first race and pulled out a big lead over most of the field. With a new track configuration at Moroso’s turn 7, there was a lot of sliding off the track and bumping between cars. Many racers claimed to be just trying to survive the weekend with the new configuration. While passing lapped traffic the #22 ZX3 got tangled up with another car in the new turn and slid off the track. The car continued with a bent fender and still finished 2nd in class, 4th overall in the 41 car field.
The #22 Focus took to the track again on Sunday July 14th for another round of testing and racing. The Focus was on the front row for the start again in the number two qualifying position. Going down the front stretch into the second turn the #22 Steeda was bumped from behind, spun around and hit again in the left rear, damaging the suspension. Once back on track and down about 15 positions, the #22 raced on, passing many cars to finish 3rd in class.
Overall it was a tough weekend, but a good learning experience. The Focus proved it could handle abuse and still remain competitive, even with damaged suspension. Steeda would like to thank Ford Motor Company, Ford SVE, Ford Racing Performance Parts, First Class Auto Center, Auto Recycling of Palm Beach, Borla Exhaust, Autometer and Hawk Brake for their participation in Steeda’s Focus racing, research and development program. |
