NASA Spec Focus Series :: Official Website

What is Spec Focus? Spec Focus (SF) is an Affordable Road Racing Series run by National Auto Sport Association (NASA) which is based on the Ford Focus Platform. It is designed to use specific parts as in Suspension, Brakes, Engine Modifications, Tires and Wheels to make the car equal.

What is NASA? NASA is a business dedicated to organizing and promoting racing activities for both the aspiring or accomplished racer. NASA has created programs that allow owners of both racecars and high-performance street-driven vehicles to enjoy the full performance capabilities of their cars in a safe and controlled environment. NASA offers many different programs that will allow you to enjoy motorsports on a number of different levels, including our High Performance Driving Events (HPDE), Rally Sport, Time Trial, NASA-X and Competition Racing programs.

What models can be used in SF? Any 2000 to 2008 2-door coupe, 2-door hatch, 4-door hatch and sedan, with a 2.0L Zetec, 2.0L SVT Zetec, 2.0L Duratec and 2.3L Duratec motors. SPI motors are not allowed.

How can you have a Spec Series with Different Motors? The Spec Focus Series isn’t any different then other Spec Series like the Spec Miata and Spec Neon series that use different motors in there series, But NASA was able to use Ford Racing’s high-tech engine dyno on all projective SF motors and with the Spec add-ons to make each motor platform fairly equal.

How Much Horsepower Does a Spec Focus have? The maximum Horsepower-to-Weight Ratio of a Spec Focus is 16.5:1. Most Spec Focus cars should be between 150-160whp, and 140-150lbs torque.

Does Spec Focus have any Factory Support from Ford? Yes, Ford Racing has been involved since the developmental and test phases of the Series. Ford Racing Performance Products also has a good Contingency Sponsorship as well.

How much does it cost to build or buy a Spec Focus? This all depends on the year and model of the car you want. We have seen 2000-2002 cars build for around $6,000 including the car, and others we have seen more because of the cost of the car. Normally a Spec Focus will run between $8,000 to $10,000.

Is there anyone who is building cars for sale or rent? There's a few companies are renting and selling cars, like LC Racing, and Gillis Motorsports. There should be more companies in the future that will also be providing this as well. LC Racing built test cars for NASA during its testing and developmental phases.

How much Research and Development was done on the Series? NASA spent nearly one full year testing and developing the Series. NASA was very please to work with two teams that have built and raced high quality Focus Touring cars in Leo Capaldi Racing and F2/Gillis Motorsports. Both of them have built high tech Professional Touring Cars Racing Series. With the guidance and Testing of Ford Racing, LC Racing and Gillis Motorsports, NASA was able to develop an affordable Spec Racing Series that has a European Touring Car flavor. Where Spec Miata is the leader in Spec Sports Car racing, Spec Focus wants to be the leader in Spec Touring Car racing.

Can I run the a Spec Focus Car in other series? Yes, People can use a SF in NASA’s Performance Touring Class. Most SF can run in the PTE class, where others, depending on the modifications, can run in PTD. Some of the older SF cars can run in other racing association’s classes as well. You can also run a Spec Focus in NASA's Endurance Series in E2 Class. You could even turn some SF Models into a Rally Spec Focus.

Where do they race the Spec Focus at? SF can be race at any of the 11 NASA Regions. Please check your region for local schedules. Also NASA has a National Championship every September where the Top Spec Focus Drivers will be competing for a National Championship.

Can I run a Rally Spec Focus (RSF) in Spec Focus (SF)? Yes, but you will have to make a few changes like changing the Rally DMS Suspension into the Multimatic Suspension and change to Toyo Tires. After that you would be ready to go in Spec Focus (SF).

Is a Spec Focus Race Car easy to drive? This is what sets the Spec Focus above the others. Since the SF uses a fairly soft suspension (in racing standards), it allows all the cars to be even. It’s a very neutral and predictable car for a rookie drive, but allows a very experience driver the same feedback he would be looking for in an expensive race car. Inexperience SF race car drivers can get up to speed very quickly in a Spec Focus Race Car.

How Fast is a Spec Focus? Speed from the start wasn’t as important then make each car equal, but NASA was able to achieve both. A good SF should finish mid-pack in Spec Miatas and should beat most of the Spec Neon. But, you can also see SF cars mixing it up with Honda Challenge and Performance Touring Cars. But at tracks like California Speedway, Mid-Ohio and Willow Springs the car can reach speeds of a 125+ MPH.

What is Focaljet? Focaljet is the premier online website for the Ford Focus. Focaljet has been kind enough to allow all Spec Focus news and updates to be posted on their site. [FJ] also keeps up to date on other Focus Racing like World Challenge, Rally Spec Focus and Club Racing, along with track events like Focaljet Track Attacks at selected NASA Time Trial Events.

How do I get a Race license to compete in Spec Focus? Each NASA region is a little different. But, NASA will get you on the track fast with instructor in the NASA HPDE program http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/index.html Now, once you move through the different levels of HPDE you'll be able to do a NASA race school, or some regions use their HPDE as their Race School. Once you have completed your Race School and HPDE events, you should be ready to get you Provisional License. http://www.nasaproracing.com/proracing/license.html. NASA's HPDE program is great place to start working on your Race License, because you can use your future SF car in the driving program up until your ready to race.