They Call It TrackSTer: Ken Block–inspired, 350-hp Ford Focus ST [2013 Chicago Auto Show] - Page 3

macdiesel · 02-10-2013, 09:58 AM

Yeah, I'd say brad@fifteen52 had a small part in the build. Seeing that he owns the company that makes ken blocks wheels and this car was made together with block and 1552.

***zetecDon*** · 02-10-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad@fifteen52

We know not everyone will like the flares, but no offense to those of you who think they need to be molded and blend into the bumpers - I don't think you really understand the motivation for this build.

This isn't a show car, and we fully expect it to get a bit beat up over time. Repairing/replacing smaller bolt-on flares is going to be a lot easier with what we've chosen :)

I understand the motivation behind this build. It's not meant to be at trailer queen. It's meant for all out road racing. But I still hold by my stance on the fender flares. I would have preferred to see something that was molded to fit the car rather than those tacky bolt on flares. If damage were to come to the flares it would more than likely do damage to the fender as well which would mean replacing the entire assembly. I understand the idea of the flares that if they get chipped, nicked or cracked in any way it would be easier to just pop the rivets and pull it off.

brad@fifteen52 · 02-10-2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetecDon

I would have preferred to see something that was molded to fit the car

Molded parts crack and fall apart due to vibrations, contact, and temperature extremes. IOW, not at all ideal for a track car, IMO. Sure, we could have reproduced an entire front fender replacement, but that doesn't address the rear quarter panels, unless we went a route similar to the full Fiesta WRC motorsport kit (which costs tens of thousands of dollars...).

At the end of the day this *isn't* a full-on race-car build with unlimited budget, and I personally still believe making use of existing Focus CTCC flares was the way to go. Aesthetics are important but they're not always our number one priority.

macdiesel · 02-10-2013, 04:03 PM

When you see this car in person, the rivets becomes a mute point. This car is stunning.

RonMaiden · 02-10-2013, 05:31 PM

I want to see perfromance numbers til then it's just a carpet queen that's nice to look at.

macdiesel · 02-10-2013, 05:51 PM

Tuff crowd on ff.com

YellowJellyBean · 02-10-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_HT

So what's the price tag?

I think you are missing the point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdiesel

Tuff crowd on ff.com

Seriously.

Mile30 · 02-10-2013, 06:33 PM

I'd hit that! I'm still not overly enamored with the front of the ST yet, but this is the most functional/aggressive fascia I've seen on one. And props for the grassroots-looking flares! I'm a color-keyed-maniac on my mk1, so I'm loving the purpose-built look of it!

I walked the lot @ work, picked out the car, did the paperwork (the only part of it I didn't do was finance paperwork & get-ready when I bought mine); there's not a whole lot of vehicles I would even consider, but... I'd trade my baby for that.