Focus Challenge

w00t! My car's in that video Wooo Wooo!

Yea, but isn't that on the left coast?

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SOUTH left coast.

Well, we are going to be doing a few Nor Cal tracks next year, too. But that dosent mean you cant sign up! Heck, Everyone going to VIR should sign up and get their handicap!!!

Well, we are going to be doing a few Nor Cal tracks next year, too. But that dosent mean you cant sign up! Heck, Everyone going to VIR should sign up and get their handicap!!!

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I signed up!

Well, we need to clarify a few things. This is NOT a uniquely west coast thing. The goal is to get a handicap system worked out to allow different levels of modified Focuses to have some friendly time trial competition. Unfortunately, trying to devise something like this on the jet ends up becoming a 40 page thread about people argueing about points be alloted for different types of brake pads, racing seats, air filters and other nonsense, and making any progress is slow and difficult.

Ultimately though, once we actually have something to discuss, this system needs the jet's public scrutiny. But right now, we just need to make something happen before it gets bogged down in specifics. Hence why I haven't mentioned much about it here in R/R/A.

Since we do have an active group of 15+ track Focuses here in SoCal, in all different stages of mods, we've decided to try this out and see how the results look. The goal being, get at least a base framework in place and then hopefully test out the system in other regions. Without a large sample group running under the same conditions, on the same track, doing something like this would be pure guess work.

Right now, our points scale is being based of a single track, Streets of Willow Springs. So the 1 point = 1 second scheme just won't fly at all tracks. One idea is that once we iron out the points per mod/equipment scale, each other track this is used on gets a certain modifier. Longer, faster tracks where there will be a wider difference might get assigned 1.x multipler. Shorter tracks will get a 0.x modifier.

Of course, coming up with the intial point of reference and points scale is the first step, and that's the only thing that is currently a "west coast" thing.

Also, a new web site explaining all of this will be up soon.

So a SVT Focus with H&R coilovers, AEM CAI, Screamin Demon, FC ORP, VF-Engr motor mount, and camber/caster plates is good for a 3.5 handicap? Ok... Let's see. My car is still emissions legal (OEM Cat), isn't a SVT (gives up 40 HP there) and has no camber/caster plates (but does have a Progress rear bar)... So what's that make my handicap? Eleventy billion, plus or minus 42 points?

One thing that worries me a little about the points system is: How do you know when you've gotten it "right"?

Unless you have a damn consistent driver that tests each combo for best lap times and calculate percentages to verify accuracy, then it will remain a "gentleman's" handicap system.

Right?

Overall I think it is a FANTASTIC idea, and I can't wait to participate.

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I agree, without some dream system of "RACER X" baselining every combo with times, it's pretty difficult.

But thanks to the.....er....um......"gentlemen" of SoCal, it's a great start.

Of course, based upon my last performance, I mused that I would be owing everybody at season's end.

One thing that worries me a little about the points system is: How do you know when you've gotten it "right"?

Unless you have a damn consistent driver that tests each combo for best lap times and calculate percentages to verify accuracy, then it will remain a "gentleman's" handicap system.

Right?

Overall I think it is a FANTASTIC idea, and I can't wait to participate.

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Excellent points and something we probably we'll no doubt always struggle with. This is another reason we haven't mentioned this much outside of the track group we have. Fortunately besides a few uber drivers, the group we have all have about the same amount of experience. Putting together a handicap system for "us" is going to be the easy part, and unfortunately there will be good drivers and bad drivers in there. But once we have that in place, we'll need to have another region try it out and then adjust as needed. And eventually the good vs bad driver factor will be diminished as much as possible. But you're right, it will always be there and there is no way to know what "right on the money" is going to be.

A spec series would be the way to go there, but at this time there just aren't enough people tracking Focuses to try to force the people that are to sell off what they have already purchase because its not spec.

A spec series is an ultimate goal, but until more people get out there, its going to be hard convincing people to not buy a $2k Miata and instead pick up a $4k used Focus.

So a SVT Focus with H&R coilovers, AEM CAI, Screamin Demon, FC ORP, VF-Engr motor mount, and camber/caster plates is good for a 3.5 handicap? Ok... Let's see. My car is still emissions legal (OEM Cat), isn't a SVT (gives up 40 HP there) and has no camber/caster plates (but does have a Progress rear bar)... So what's that make my handicap? Eleventy billion, plus or minus 42 points?

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I'm confused if this is a real question.

The more modified, the less handicap. Take your time, subtract the handicap. BUR_ZX3 who I believe has a similar setup to the one you mentioned had I believe a 7 pt handicap. Meaning I had to have a 3.5 second advantage over him just to tie.

We are still reviewing the results to see if anything didn't jive, but so far, it was a helluva lot of fun for everyone, no matter how much money you've dumping into your car, "needing to drop .2 seconds to move up to 2nd place" even if it wasn't a perfect handicap system.

I agree, without some dream system of "RACER X" baselining every combo with times, it's pretty difficult.

But thanks to the.....er....um......"gentlemen" of SoCal, it's a great start.

Of course, based upon my last performance, I mused that I would be owing everybody at season's end.

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Worked on baselining 348 Ferraris for the Ferrari challenge once....even with crated....dyno(d) matched motors..and tires heat cycled one time....the guys were up tp 5 seconds apart...so this is to get guys close enough to challenge...

and murph...some of these guys are getting it huh!!

Just know this... expect to see a Focus Challenge event near you..... SOON!

Unless you have a damn consistent driver that tests each combo for best lap times and calculate percentages to verify accuracy, then it will remain a "gentleman's" handicap system.

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That's where you come in, my good man. The original Uber top secret plan was to have the Focus Challenge Navy SEAL super ninja attack squad kidnap you and force you to drive all of our cars, but that plan fell through due to lack of funds (You'd be surprised how much $$$ Navy Seal super ninjas want for a simple abduction!), So i suppose we need to bribe you with some sort of beer...

But seriously...

This is in it's INFANCY. We are constantly tweaking the system. Its going to take a while to iron all the kinks out, but we are working on it. In the end, Its all for fun, so no big whoop if it isnt perfect right away.

I wonder if its for fun?



Hell I suck, but I go out cuz thats about all I'll ever get outta it... FUN!

I wonder if its for fun?
Hell I suck, but I go out cuz thats about all I'll ever get outta it... FUN!

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Well, to be quite frank, and honest, I want to get something besides fun out of it...



GIRLS!!!! Wouldn't that be great? If there were, like, Focus Challenge groupies?! Man, that would be sweet...

GIRLS!!!! Wouldn't that be great? If there were, like, Focus Challenge groupies?! Man, that would be sweet...

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Well start you invitation list