[KSGerry]

A winged 900 pound midget race car powered by a 320 h.p. Duratec 2.3 engine similar to the new Focus PZEV will make it's racing debut on Oct 4th and 5th at the Waterford Speedbowl, http://www.speedbowl.com in Waterford, Conn. The number 26 car is owned by long-time racer, Bruce Beane and the engine is race prepared by Circle Performance, http://www.circleperformance.com Check out the sanctioning body's website (NEMA) at http://www.nemaracing.com for specific race times and details.

NEMA midget races are scheduled at Seekonk Speedway
http://www.seekonkspeedway.com in Seekonk, Mass on Oct 11th and 12th. The season finale is Oct 18th and 19th at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Conn
http://www.thompsonspeedway.com

Thanks and regards,
Gerry Dedonis

 

[Egz]

w00t!

 

[Ray]

Holy ****! That's.... 40 minutes from here.

 

[OperationTwilight]

I think ill keep my zetec and pimp it out with turbo, headers, and the WRC block. I was thinkin of doing an engine swap but i dont wanna wait 3 years for simply amazing parts for the duratech.

Hell ill have my engine completely overhauled and turbo'd by next christmas, so i dont think its worth waiting.

 

[KSGerry]

I think I'll keep my Zetec and pimp it out with turbo, headers, and the WRC block. I was thinkin of doing an engine swap but I don't wanna wait 3 years for simply amazing parts for the Duratech.

Hell, I'll have my engine completely overhauled and turbo'd by next Christmas, so I dont think its worth waiting.

Performance parts for the Duratec have been available for several years. The Europeans have had the Duratec engine in a 1.8 or 2.0 liter version since the mid-90s. Then there is the cost factor. I sold the stock 2.3 Duratec long block engine to Bruce Beane for $600.dollars and the block and head are original. The price for a WRC Zetec bare block is over $2500. The stock Zetec head will require work to get any flow or will have to be replaced by an aftermarket head...more money. Weight is an issue in racing. The all-aluminum Duratec weighs about 200 pounds opposed to a stock Zetec at 245 pounds with a WRC block even more. Consider too displacement capabilities. The Duratec can be fitted with new cylinder sleeves to boost the displacement to over 2.7 liter. A 2.0 Duratec version (Mazda3 and Mondeo versions), when fitted with new sleeves will displace over 2.3 liters and have a short stroke crankshaft...perfect for a turbo application!

I admit that switching to a Duratec will require a change of drivelines as this engine will not bolt up to a Zetec bellhousing. There are options. A recent thread on "TEAM Pit Stop" shows photos of a Duratec (and Zetec) mated to a rear-drive transmission or a VW transaxle. A Focus PZEV or the 2004 Focus (also a Mazda6 with an "I-4" engine) with a non-PZEV bellhousing/gearbox could be ordered from a dealer or found in a salvage yard. Marcy Motorsports, an FJ sponsor, offers performance rebuilds of the gearbox for strength.

Regards,
Gerry Dedonis