ST170 Touring Car

[PaulinhoT]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here would be able to help me with some information regarding the Focus ST170's used in motorsport, I have owned one myself for a few years now and although I want to continue using the car on the road (my commute to work is only 2.5 miles so being practical isn't really an out and out necessity)I have a crazy idea to take it in a touring car "replica" direction. The Mk1 Focus had limited use as a track based racing car as Ford concentrated on the Focus RS in the WRC.

I have had some luck finding some information on a Ford Focus that was used in the BTCC production class (a long time ago), and I understand it now runs in the CSCC Tin Tops. I have tried to message the owner/driver via another forum, but have had no luck in making contact.





This next Focus I have no information about at all so If anyone has any information then please let me know.




This next Focus was raced in the 2004 ETCC, it's based on the ST170 and was originally developed for the Deutsche Tourenwagen Challenge.
The team's drivers were Sebastien Grunert and Roland Asch, whom alternated with Thomas Klenke. I've managed to contact some of the drivers via social media, and all have shared stories about racing, but none sadly have any information about the cars.







I've also spoken to Mario Hohenwarter who uses or used one in Hill Sprint events, but despite him offering to help, he hasn't got back to me in 10 months.. any help or information would be greatfully enjoyed, thank you.

[SofaBear]

I've seen pictures of a ST170 of a few been using for rallying etc, but like you I have no information on the cars. Something I've considered doing for my car when I stop using it as a road car, while it's underpowered and bad on fuel it does handle really well, so could make a cheap track toy.

[k20erham]

If you made it an exact replica it would be a real pain, the st170 engine even ones coming out of Mountune were way down on power to be on the pace and part throttle fueling was horrible and if you dont drive far they are impossible when cold fouling plugs, crap idle etc , what I'm saying is if you had a real one in garage you would soon get fed up driving on the road, plus the geo on the road is frightening I looked after one that ran in the Britcar rounds and drove it on track (wonderful handling) but on the road a nightmare Mountune engine/Pectel/ sequential box, (50K)there alone. Chap then went to a DC5 honda Integra which a ran Niel Brown racing engine which eclipsed the Focus in every way, Don't get me wrong a sensible modded Focus is a great car with great handling, the race rep is just way too stiff for road rubber aswell, brakes that look great but don't work well until well hot, I've run hand cut slicks on road rallies which are amazing but when cold are like being on ice. have fun which ever way you go though!!

[PaulinhoT]

Thanks for the information and heads up, actually sounds like a nightmare to live with. The idea of having tyre warmers on the car before I go to work sounds like fun, but I suspect it would become a real pain.

[mat205125]

"Race car for the road"

Always sounds like a great idea doesn't it?

The reality is a long way removed from the dream, and isn't something I'd want to live with on a daily basis. Even a "good car" that begins to become track focussed will quickly become tiresome to live with day to day.

[Danny6189]

Digging at the archives but I currently have that white and yellow focus touring car.

[Greg-]

Anymore information or pictures?

[PaulinhoT]

Danny6189 said:

Digging at the archives but I currently have that white and yellow focus touring car.

Any more information on this please Danny D

[evilmiyagi]

Its a different colour now

and is still in CSCC Tin Tops.. I'll let Danny give you the full run down but its still as awesome as it was in its BTCC Days