Grand-Am – Automobiles Review

Ford Focus ST-R Ready to Go

Ford are ready to tackle this year’s Grand-Am 200 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge within the ST class. Their contender will be the Daytona International Speedway debutant Focus ST-R. Ford Racing already has a substantial portfolio of production-based race cars if we count the FR500 and Boss 302R. The ST-R clearly has its roots embedded in the standard Focus and the ST:

“The road-going Focus features best-in-class brakes, handling and powertrains and the design and functionality of the various vehicle systems have helped us to develop a global technical specification for teams wanting to race the new Focus cost effectively. Ford Racing in North America has taken this effort and developed the new Focus ST-R. It is a perfect example of how a great production car inspires a competitive race car for enthusiasts.” comments Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development

Thanks to Ford’s Global Performance Vehicles group, Ford Racing have managed to “optimize” the ST-R so that it can go not only to the Grand-Am 200 but also take part in the World Challenge TC and Canadian Touring Car Series. Hopes are also high for the 24h race at the Nürburgring.

But know all eyes are on the Daytona Speedway. What can we expect there? Well, despite the striking similarity to a standard Focus ST, the ST-R has an all-aluminum 2.0 EcoBoost power plant that has been tweaked and tinkered with as far as technology these days would allow it. High-pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging, revised intake/exhaust systems and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) all benefit the 250 horsepower figure that comes out of the engine. Torque peaks at 265 lb.-ft and yet it is consistently available throughout the rev counter. A six-speed manual tames the mad horses spewing out from under the hood and delivers unmatched efficiency and power – Props to the guys at Global Performance Vehicles.

Initially the ST-R will be available for ordering only within the US by seasoned hardcore professional drivers, amateur racers and track-day goers. Ford’s plan however, is to broaden the ST-R‘s availability in other markets as well. Other turnkey race cars by Ford managed to enchant the public so why not the beast in the compact Focus body?

Source: Ford

January 27, 2012

Audi R8 GRAND-AM

Audi Sport has announced the new R8 GRAND-AM, which is based on R8 LMS that has scored more than 110 victories and 13 titles. Essentially, from the GT3 race car quattro GmbH has developed a vehicle for the Grand Touring class of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in the USA and subjected it to final testing at Daytona.

There were two test days, when Frank Stippler completed around 1000 km with Audi R8 GRAND-AM. The famous Daytona International Speedway in the U.S. state of Florida with its banked turns served to prepare for the Daytona 24 Hours at which private racing customers will compete with the R8 GRAND AM on January 28^th and 29^th, next year.

Still ,the newly developed car is a lot different than the GT3 model. The downforce is a lot lower due to the GRAND-AM regulations, which prescribe modified body components. For example, the new front splitter may only protrude from the front contours by 38 mm. Besides that, the front underbody must have a flat design and the rear diffusor corresponds to the production car component, while the standardised rear wing is only 152 cm wide and thus 260 mm slimmer than the rear wing of the R8 LMS.

“The lower aerodynamic forces also require modified damper characteristics and softer spring rates,” said Armin Plietsch, Head of Engineering Customer Sport at quattro GmbH.

In addition, the regulations prescribe a ride height of 65 mm – which is about 10 mm more than the minimum in the FIA series.

The tires should be from the series’ exclusive supplier, Continental and the ABS and traction control, which are standard equipment on the Audi R8 LMS, had to be deactivated for the R8 GRAND-AM.

The optimised radiator package that Audi developed for the R8 LMS ultra is also used in the R8 GRAND-AM.

“We successfully tested all the modifications at Daytona,” commented Romolo Liebchen, Head of Customer Sport at quattro GmbH.

“With Frank Stippler we developed a sound and solid set-up for our customers and also gathered valuable findings in the endurance tests. The durability of wearing parts and runs at high outside temperatures meet challenging demands. We can now provide our racing customers with concrete advice and reference values for fielding the car.”, he finished.

Source: Audi

December 12, 2011

Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am

Ferrari has announced the new 458 Italia Grand Am race car, which is even more fast and brutal version than the magnificent road model. The car has been developed in conjunction with Michelotto Automobili, based on the GT3 version of the V8 Ferrari berlinetta, with the aim of racing in the famous North American series.

The car meets also safety and performance regulations, so it features the same 4.5 liter hi-revving V8 engine, but with 500PS (368 kW). The reducing of power is because of the 48 mm restrictor and maximum revs are 8000.

Still, the car is much faster, because it features a roll bar, high performance braking system, a Continental tires, widened tracks and massive rear wing. The ABS and traction control have been removed.

On its shakedown today, it completed a good number of trouble-free laps, 45 to be precise in the hands of Maurizio Mediani and Jaime Melo, as they took turns at the wheel.

Source: Ferrari

July 20, 2011

Tag: Grand-Am

Ford Focus ST-R Ready to Go

Audi R8 GRAND-AM

Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am