Steeda News Release - On Track

Steeda President, Dario Orlando at speed in the Steeda Focus ZX3 during the Florida Endurance Series one and half hour race at Moroso Motorsports Park, Jupiter, Fl. With a new Cosworth 2.3l engine Dario won his class in the enduro and the thirty minute sprint race the next day. Steve Chichisola, Steeda Autosports Racing Chief Engineering and the man responsible for the building and maintenance all Steeda race and feature cars looks on as the Steeda ZX3 races on. Joining Steve was Steeda technician, Jim Dunaway (c) and Frank Stoddard, (r) Steeda Sales representative. Frank drove the Focus to a class win on Sunday. The 2005 Steeda ZX3 “Crimson Ride” was the featured pace car for the Florida Endurance Series and SCCA Regional races at Moroso Motorsports Park.

Steeda Autosports brought two Focus cars to the Moroso Motorsports Park Florida Endurance Series and SCCA Regional races the weekend of November 18-19. The first Steeda Focus ZX3, served as the pace car for the weekend, where it paced the Florida Endurance Series hour and one half enduro as well as a number of SCCA Regional clashes.

The Steeda development Focus ZX3 returned to the track for testing and development of a new 2.3l Cosworth powerplant. The talented Steeda Racing Chief Engineer Steve Chichisola, supervised the Cosworth installation and set up. The new motor gives the Steeda ZX3 an additional 30 horsepower at the front wheels and a whole new set of performance parameters. The Focus would be up against some very formidable competition, including Honda Accords, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Dodge Neons, various Nissans, Volkswagens and Toyotas. In addition the field for the enduro would include Porsches, Camaros, Mustangs, some 65 cars in all.

Going into turn one on the first lap the Steeda ZX3, driven by Steeda President, Dario Orlando was hit in the rear quarter, causing the yellow Focus to spin violently while traveling at 120 miles per hour! His 25 years of race winning experience enabled Dario to collect the car, miss the guardrail and begin his charge up through the field. With increased power from the Cosworth 2.3l motor and the competition proven Steeda suspension, including the just released rear sway bar the Focus passed every car in its class, plus a number of competitors driving cars in higher classes. When the checkered flag fell the number 22 yellow Steeda Focus won its class and finished ahead of many Honda Accords, a Chevy Cobalt SS even a number of Mustangs and Camaros.
“It was a wild ride!” commented Dario when asked what happened on the first lap. “ I gathered myself and the Steeda Focus up, headed for the pits for a check out by Steve Chichisola and then began the charge” “We never gave up and the car performed well. The new engine still needs a little more development and tuning, as has been the case for the past 25 years we have been together, Steve did a great job preparing the ZX3. The car is a ball to drive and I was impressed with how much faster the Focus is with the Cosworth 2.3l engine.” Dario concluded.

The Focus was not finished winning however, as the two Sunday races produced similar results with Frank Stoddard, Steeda sales representative and SCCA veteran campaigner taking home first place honors in the morning race. “I was impressed with the power and overall handing of our Focus. It has been a couple of years since I drove the car and the car is at least three seconds a lap faster than before!” Frank stated.

Dario Orlando took over driving duties for the last race, a thirty minute contest and after a battle with a Honda Accord, pulled away to win his class and add another victory for an impressive weekend of road racing. Four races, four Focus victories.

“Our Focus has a lot more potential, I cannot wait to drive the car after Steve and our Team Steeda technicians continue further tuning and chassis dial in. It will be a blast”! Dario said. “We are proud of the fact that all the parts on the ZX3, including our new rear sway bar are available in our Focus catalog and on our Focus web site, steedafocus.com.”