Ready-to-race Ford Focus ST-R walk-around: Video

The folks at Ford released a video Christmas present this week featuring Ford Racing's Andy Vrenko hosting a complete walk-around of the company's latest turn-key race car, the Ford Focus ST-R.

The latest spec racer is approved for competition in the Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and the Canadian Touring Car series (pending homologation approvals).

The engine and transmission are production-based components from the street-legal Focus ST. The turbocharged 16-valve, direct-injection 2.0-liter EcoBoost is recalibrated to work with race fuel. A six-speed Getrag transmission with a Ford Racing limited-slip differential puts power to the ground.

On the inside, the ST-R has a Recaro HANS Pro Racer seat, an FIA-spec six-point cage and an AIM data-acquisition system, plus a cockpit-mounted, two-nozzle fire system--all must-haves for any racer.

Additionally, according to Vrenko, “all the rubber bushings have been upgraded with much stiffer bushings, as well as three-way adjustable AST race dampers.”

If you are looking to live out your childhood fantasy of being a professional race-car driver, Ford will toss you the keys to this competitive car for a relatively inexpensive $98,995. For purchasing and availability information, contact a local Ford dealer.

By David Arnouts